VPNs, Fines, and Extremism: What You Can Search for Online—and What Constitutes a Violation

Context. Starting September 1, fines will be imposed for using VPNs, sharing links, and “inappropriate” clicks. The Russian State Duma has passed new laws. State Duma approved the fines Up to 5,000 rubles for intentionally searching for and viewing extremist material online, including accessing it via a VPN. A separate law has been passed imposing fines of up to 500,000 rubles for advertising VPN services.

— A fine of 5,000 rubles – if you search online "prohibited" contentspecifically;

— The "banned" list – 536 pages. It's very easy to make a mistake easily;

— There will be more fraud, leaks data and blackmail – It's easier to set it up now;

— If you received a link to a blocked website, and you opened it— You're an extremist;

— Let's go over this again: links Do not open;

— For VPN ad – a fine;

— SIM card Do not forward other people. If They'll buy the room or rent— the security forces will arrive;

— Usernames and passwords – is also at risk;

— Services for selling, boosting, and subscribing to games they almost died – banks don't want to work with them;

— The law takes effect Starting September 1 – Then they'll start issuing fines.

The latest news about fines for “searching for extremism” and for advertising VPNs has understandably prompted people to ask, “What on earth is going on?” It’s unclear where the line is between safe internet browsing and a 5,000-ruble administrative fine.

To get to the bottom of this, we turned to lawyer and mediator Lilia Shiryaeva for help. Here’s what she had to say—no need to panic, just the facts.

1. Is the word “VPN” alone considered advertising? What if you say, “A VPN is a service for…”?

By law, advertising is any information directed at an unspecified audience with the aim of selling, attracting interest in, or promoting something.

That is:

• You can simply mention a VPN;
• To say, “A VPN is a thing that helps…”—that’s also, if You don't add "awesome, free, works better than any other";
• But if you write, “Install this, and YouTube will work again”—consider yourself caught. That’s already an ad for a blocking workaround.

What not to do:

• explain how to bypass the block;
• posting guides on “how to get to places you’re not supposed to go”;
• marvel at how convenient these methods are.

Something like this:
✅ “A VPN is a technology that encrypts traffic.”
❌ “Download *** — and forget about blocks forever!”

2. How can you tell if a website or link is extremist?

Extremist material isn't just "something questionable." It's information that prevents the Russian government from remaining in the Kremlin.

The Russian Ministry of Justice maintains a complete list of these materials—and it not small: more than 5,000 cases upheld by the courts.

🔍 On its own search Such information is not a crime.
But here's what's important:

• If you consciously spreading, liking, saving, or reposting is already a violation;
• if you accidentally see it in the feed, breathe calmly, it does not count;
• If you find it, save it "just in case", share it in the chat – this is already a risk zone.

3. How to talk about all this so as not to fly in?

The lawyer gives a simple security checklist:

✔️ Familiarize yourself with the list of extremist materials on the website of the Ministry of Justice (yes, it exists, and it is actually used).
✔️ Do not throw links or screenshots from these resources.
✔️ Do not save such content to your phone or to the cloud.
✔️ If you're talking about VPNs — Don't tie it up to bypassing blocks.
✔️ Don't joke with phrases like "everyone has been sitting through the *** for a long time" - such hints can be regarded as hidden advertising.

Conclusion? The Internet in Russia is no longer a field for free experiments. Speak carefully, check sources, do not spread what is better left alone if you live in Russia. In general, if you live in Russia, then remember Soviet films, talk to your mother, or better with your grandparents - they will tell you how to live properly now "and not stick out" once again.

Important: our magazine is blocked on the territory of the Russian Federation, but you can read all our articles and listen to podcasts without a VPN in our mini-application in Telegram "Radio Doberman".