Russia considers targeted VPN penalties instead of full ban

Russian lawmakers have indicated that penalties for using virtual private networks (VPNs) should be limited to cases where the technology is used to commit crimes, emphasising that a comprehensive ban on such services is not under consideration.

The position was outlined by Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy and a member of United Russia, in comments reported by TASS. He was responding to remarks by Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev, who had earlier opposed the introduction of administrative liability for VPN use.

Gorelkin argued that broad, across-the-board measures would be excessive, stating: “Fines for VPN use should be imposed only in cases where it is used to commit crimes.”

According to the lawmaker, current legislative initiatives are specifically designed to address the criminal use of VPN services rather than to impose a full ban.

He also expressed hope that the Ministry of Digital Development would find a compromise on regulation, emphasising that the issue stems from some foreign platforms failing to comply with national legislation, rather than from the actions of citizens.

By Tamilla Hasanova