Expanded Criticism of Human Rights Protections - Specialists Criticize Russia's Intensified Crackdown on Virtual Private Networks and Encrypted Applications
The Kremlin is aggressively expanding its national digital sovereignty system, compelling citizens to use state-developed applications. This move is part of a broader strategy to assert control over the internet within Russia's borders.
In July 2025, a new law was introduced, adding penalties for violating rules on Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage. This legislation is a continuation of the ongoing crackdown against VPN users, as the Russian government seeks to limit the use of such tools to bypass internet censorship.
Russia is reportedly investing over half a billion US dollars in this battle against VPN usage. The government's efforts include the development of ever-sophisticated VPN blocking techniques, which, while not banning the use of circumvention tools outright, may lead to services getting blocked or throttled.
The fight against VPNs, proxy servers, and the Tor Browser is not new. Roskomnadzor, Russia's media regulator, has issued removal demands against Big Tech giants, resulting in the removal of several VPN apps, including the popular Russian service Amnezia VPN, from July 2024 onwards.
Experts have raised concerns about the implications of this crackdown. Restricting both encrypted communication platforms and VPNs leaves people in Russia with few options for secure communication. Additionally, the enormous surveillance potential of the VK-made software, MAX, has been a topic of discussion.
In March 2024, the government took another step in this direction by introducing a law to criminalize the spread of information about ways to circumvent internet restrictions. This move was followed by several regions in Russia being disconnected to test its sovereign net.
However, it's worth noting that an expert group that published a public statement in September 2025, condemning Russia's blocking of encrypted apps and VPNs and criticizing the forced use of state-supported unencrypted alternatives on Russian devices, remains unnamed in the provided search results.
This article provides a snapshot of the complex and evolving landscape of digital sovereignty and internet censorship in Russia. As the situation continues to develop, it's crucial to stay informed about the implications of these policies for the digital rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.
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