Users of Russian VPN services may encounter troubling warnings and risky moments that demand careful scrutiny. The Izvestia publication has highlighted concerns by Vladimir Zykov, who leads the Association of Professional Users of Social Networks and Messengers, about how these tools can affect everyday digital life. The conversation centers not on whether VPNs exist, but on how their use might intersect with security, privacy, and access controls in ways that can surprise ordinary users and even professionals who rely on these services for safer online communications.
According to Zykov, there are several potential hazards tied to VPN use that people should understand. First, a VPN app can access and influence more than just a user’s internet routing. It may interact with a wide range of smartphone data, including text messages, photos, geolocation, and other personal information. While VPNs are often marketed as privacy enhancers, the reality can be more nuanced: some services could, either through design or misconfiguration, harvest or expose data that users assume remains private. This risk underscores the importance of selecting a VPN that adheres to strict privacy practices, maintains transparent data handling policies, and provides clear disclosures about data access and retention practices.
Second, the integrity of data transmitted through a VPN hinges on secure encryption and standards. If a VPN service does not route data using HTTPS or other strong end-to-end encryption protocols, there is a higher chance that a malicious actor or even a compromised service could alter the content in transit. This not only raises concerns about privacy but also about the authenticity and accuracy of information accessed or submitted through the VPN connection. Users should verify that their VPN enforces modern, widely trusted encryption protocols and supports features like perfect forward secrecy to minimize these risks.
Additionally, there is a practical risk when a user logs into sensitive accounts, such as banking apps, while connected to a VPN. Financial institutions may interpret VPN usage as suspicious activity, triggering additional security checks or temporarily blocking access to protect the user from unauthorized access. While banks implement these safeguards to prevent fraud, they can also create inconvenient interruptions for legitimate users who travel, work remotely, or need to access financial services from different locations. Users should consider using multi-factor authentication, reliable device management, and, when feasible, banking apps that clearly indicate trusted networks to reduce the likelihood of false alarms triggered by VPN activity.
The broader regulatory landscape in Russia has added another layer of complexity. In early February 2024, Roskomnadzor reminded the public that new restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of VPN services would become enforceable on March 1. This regulatory push signals a shift toward tighter control over tools that communities use to evade local censorship or access information through alternative routes. While these measures may intend to curb illicit traffic or protect national digital boundaries, they inevitably create a tension for ordinary users, researchers, journalists, and professionals who rely on VPNs to preserve privacy, ensure secure communications, or conduct cross-border work. The presence of such rules also raises questions about how VPN providers adapt their services in a changing legal environment and what that means for consumer protection, data sovereignty, and transparency in data handling.
Historically, discussions about the feasibility of broad restrictions on VPNs have surfaced at various points. In this context, officials and observers have grappled with balancing the need for cyber security and the preservation of legitimate privacy rights. The dialogue continues as policy makers seek practical approaches that address security concerns without unnecessarily compromising lawful, everyday digital activities. For users, this means staying informed about policy updates, choosing reputable service providers, and adopting best practices for online security—such as using strong, unique passwords, enabling device-level protections, and keeping software up to date. In an ecosystem where digital tools evolve rapidly, prudent users approach VPNs with a clear understanding of both their benefits for privacy and the potential risks that come with misconfigurations, data exposure, or inconsistent enforcement of encryption standards.