Earlier reports suggested that the country could introduce penalties for using these services to visit banned websites
The Russian government does not plan to fine people for visiting banned websites with the help of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, the country’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has told RT.
The technology allows users to create a secure connection between their device and the server, as well as hiding their IP addresses and bypassing firewalls and blocks.
Earlier this month, Roskomnadzor issued a draft order that would require telecom operators to provide it with data on internet users who visit blocked websites. If the legislation is adopted, the regulator will reportedly be able to monitor any attempts to bypass firewalls or access blocked websites using VPNs.
On Wednesday, Hi-Tech Mail news outlet reported that the order would allow the regulator to fine people for using VPN, citing IT experts. Yuri Gizatullin, founder of TIQUM IT firm, told the news outlet that Roskomnadzor has the technical means to do so, but noted, however, that such measures would “raise questions” about data privacy.
According to Roskomnadzor, it has no intention of fining VPN users.
“There is a gross error in such assumptions,” the regulator stated, noting that its draft order targeting VPNs “does not and cannot introduce fines.”
“The said draft order of Roskomnadzor does not touch upon the use of VPN services,” it added, slamming the report as “fake.”
Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Technology and Communications, also denied the report. He explained that the measure would be nearly impossible to introduce, as the line between legal and illegal use of VPNs is difficult to determine.
The issue of introducing penalties for the use of VPN services and possibly banning them has been raised in Russia repeatedly. Since the start of the military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Western nations have banned multiple Russian news organizations, accusing them of spreading ‘disinformation’, while allowing anti-Russia propaganda to appear on their websites and social media.
Russia responded by blacklisting a number of Western media outlets and platforms. Citing anti-Russian sentiments, misinformation, and censorship of Russian media outlets, Roskomnadzor banned access to sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and outlets like the BBC and Deutsche Welle. However, these websites are still widely accessible in Russia through VPN services.
While VPN services have not been banned in the country, in March this year, Roskomnadzor restricted the advertising of them. In November, it also banned the distribution of scientific and statistical information about VPN services, with the exception of those that provide secure remote access. The regulator has also been blocking VPN services that violate its rules.
