A new legislative proposal introduced in the State Duma has ignited a significant debate among the press and the public. This bill seeks to enhance accountability for various infractions, including the transfer of SIM cards to unauthorized individuals, the search for extremist content, and the promotion of VPN services. Following initial concerns, State Duma representatives have provided clarifications on whether fines will be imposed for merely using VPNs or seeking extremist materials.
The State Duma Committee has officially backed amendments aimed at strengthening accountability for breaches in the telecommunications and information sectors. The comprehensive bill covers a wide array of areas, from restricting the transfer of SIM cards to third parties to regulating online searches for extremist content and the advertisement of VPNs. Proponents of these amendments assert that their adoption will significantly improve national security and aid in preventing numerous illicit activities, such as phone scams and the recruitment of potential terrorists.
A provision within the bill that has caused considerable media attention is the introduction of fines for intentionally seeking extremist materials. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for maintaining and publishing a list of such materials, which currently comprises nearly 5,500 entries. However, Artem Sheikin, the First Deputy Head of the Federation Council`s Constitutional Committee, clarified to Business FM that attempts by Russian citizens to access platforms like Instagram or Facebook (owned by Meta, a company designated as extremist and banned in Russia) will not constitute a legal offense.
First Deputy Head of the Federation Council`s Constitutional Committee
“Fines are applicable to citizens only in cases where they intentionally search for and gain access to materials explicitly included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials, which is published by the Ministry of Justice. The mere act of using VPN services is not an administrative violation, provided it is not linked to illegal activities. Clearly defined extremist content refers to materials that the Ministry of Justice has added to a special Federal List of Extremist Materials based on court rulings. Organizations or individuals designated as foreign agents are not automatically classified as extremists; therefore, simply viewing materials from foreign agents is not considered a violation.”
Regarding the prohibition on VPN advertising, Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Head of the State Duma`s IT Committee, clarified on his Telegram channel that the focus is specifically on the *promotion* of VPN services. He emphasized that the use of VPNs itself is not banned, as long as individuals do not use them to access prohibited content. Nevertheless, the deputy noted that if a crime is perpetrated with the aid of a VPN, it will be considered an “aggravating circumstance.”
The business sector has expressed apprehension concerning the VPN regulations. Questions have arisen about how to access resources that are restricted for users from Russia, or how to facilitate access to corporate accounts for remote employees. Alexey Gorelkin, an expert in information and cybersecurity and CEO of Phishman, weighed in on how businesses will need to adapt to these evolving conditions.
Information Security Expert, CEO of Phishman
“We have access to VPNs provided by various major Russian information security companies that can be utilized without issues. While you won`t gain access to Instagram through these, as they are officially sanctioned VPNs, you will still be able to connect via another country. Furthermore, extremist materials can be filtered within a VPN; for instance, if you acquire an official VPN permitted within the Russian Federation, its provider can integrate Roskomnadzor`s blacklist, ensuring that all websites identified as extremist or illicit simply will not function through that VPN.”
The second reading of these amendments in the Duma is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth