Russian lawmakers propose fines for ‘searching for extremist materials’ online and advertising VPNs

The Russian State Duma’s Committee on State Building and Legislation has proposed an amendment that would introduce misdemeanor penalties for searching for banned content online, including through the use of VPN services, the human rights group Network Freedoms reported on Tuesday. Forbes Russia was the first to draw attention to the proposal.

The amendment was introduced on July 14 ahead of the second reading of a bill regulating freight forwarders, according to documents published on the State Duma’s website.

“Lawmakers have repeatedly used the ‘cunning’ tactic of quietly inserting repressive measures into dormant, previously introduced bills,” Network Freedoms said in a statement. “It allows them to accelerate the legislative process — moving through the second and third readings in a single day — and to avoid public scrutiny.”

The amendment would add a new article, 13.53, to Russia’s Administrative Code, titled: “Searching for known extremist materials and accessing them, including through the use of hardware and software tools that enable access to restricted information resources or information and telecommunications networks.”

Under the proposal, individuals would face fines of 3,000 to 5,000 rubles (roughly $38 to $64) for the “deliberate search for extremist materials.”

A separate amendment would impose fines for advertising VPN services. If adopted, penalties would range from 50,000 to 80,000 rubles ($640 to $1,025) for individuals; 80,000 to 150,000 rubles ($1,030 to $1,900) for officials; and 200,000 to 500,000 rubles ($2,560 to $6,400) for legal entities.

The proposed changes would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Russia banned the advertising and promotion of VPN services on March 1, 2024.