Regulatory criteria introduced for blocking circumvention information in Russia
Russia’s communications watchdog has outlined new guidelines for assessing materials that describe methods to bypass internet restrictions. The draft order, published on the regulator’s portal, sets out the criteria Roskomnadzor plans to use in evaluating whether content should be restricted. The document signals the potential expansion of rules to include information about tools and techniques used to circumvent blocking in Russia.
The draft indicates that Roskomnadzor intends to begin applying these criteria on March 1, 2024, with the framework remaining in force through September 1, 2029. The scope explicitly covers sites that discuss VPN services. These programs are commonly used to bypass regulatory restrictions on computers, tablets, and mobile devices, exercising access to resources that are otherwise blocked by local authorities.
Among the new evaluation elements is a requirement for materials to describe actions that enable access to information resources despite restrictions. The language notes that access is limited in Russia, and the describes actions that would help users reach blocked resources are to be considered within the assessment. The criteria also address materials that advocate for methods or approaches that facilitate gaining entry to resources blocked in the country.
Another facet of the criteria is whether the article or post includes ways and methods that demonstrate the benefits of using such tools to overcome blockages. The justification for listing content in the registry will hinge on the existence of information that presents opportunities to obtain access, including the downloading of programs and related utilities.
According to the document, the presence of one or more criteria would allow Roskomnadzor to automatically decide to add the corresponding pages and sites to the registry of prohibited information. This process ties into the broader policy framework that governs the identification and labeling of content deemed to facilitate prohibited activities or circumvent restrictions.
In a related development, on July 31, the president of Russia signed a law that positions information detailing ways to bypass blocking as a basis for adding a site or domain to the list of prohibited information. This move underscores the state’s intent to expand control over information that could facilitate evading censorship and blocking measures, according to official statements and parliamentary commentary.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee, clarified via his Telegram channel that the new rule does not ban the use of VPN services themselves. He explained that the prohibition targets advertising content that promotes methods to bypass blocking rather than restricting the tools people may choose to use for personal privacy or security. This distinction has been noted by several policymakers and experts who have observed the evolving regulatory stance around online privacy technologies.
Earlier discussions in the State Duma touched on the broader debate surrounding VPNs and their role within Russia’s digital landscape. Lawmakers have emphasized balancing security concerns with the rights of users to access information, while regulators have consistently sought to curb content that makes it easier to evade state-imposed restrictions. Analysts caution that the evolving framework could influence how technology providers, educators, journalists, and everyday users approach online access and information sharing in the country. Attribution: Roskomnadzor draft order; official statements from the State Duma; public commentary on digital policy.
Outside observers in the United States and Canada monitoring Russian information policy note that the implications extend beyond a single jurisdiction. Businesses operating in North America with interests in the region may want to follow the regulatory trajectory closely, particularly for content strategy, compliance practices, and user guidance concerning digital rights and access. The evolving criteria reflect a broader global tension between national security interests and individual access to information, a topic likely to be of interest to policymakers, technologists, and researchers focused on internet governance and censorship regimes.
Readers aiming to understand how such rules could affect online publishing should consider the interplay between bans on promotional or instructional material and the legitimate use of privacy tools. While the Russian framework addresses content that helps bypass restrictions, it is essential to assess the landscape of privacy technologies, their legitimate applications, and the safeguards that accompany their use. The ongoing regulatory developments serve as a reminder that information access is a dynamic area shaped by law, policy, and technology, with potential ripple effects across global digital ecosystems. Attribution: official regulatory materials and policy analyses.