Roskomnadzor Expands Prohibited Information Rules to Include VPN Bypass Guides
Russia’s regulatory framework for online information is moving to a broader scope. The government has authorized Roskomnadzor to add to the Unified Register of Prohibited Information any sites that contain instructions, methods, or tools intended to bypass the blocking of other online resources. The official decision outlining this addition was published on the regulatory acts portal, signaling a shift in how access to restricted information is treated from a compliance and enforcement perspective.
The document introduces a new basis for listing websites in the register. It expands the data that must be tracked and maintained about mechanisms used to provide access to information resources that are restricted to Russia. This change reflects an emphasis on transparency and control over access methods, ensuring that the register covers not only blocked resources themselves but also the means by which users may circumvent those blocks.
In early October, Artem Sheikin, deputy chairman of the Council for the Development of the Digital Economy under the Federation Council, announced that Roskomnadzor plans to block VPN services in Russia starting in the following spring. The statement underscores a plan to curb the distribution and use of virtual private networks that facilitate circumventing state-imposed access restrictions. The intention appears to be to limit the availability of tools that enable users to bypass official blocks, aligning with broader regulatory objectives as the digital landscape evolves.
Alexander Khinshtein, a deputy in the State Duma, clarified that the agency would focus its blocking on VPN services that violate Russian law. This stance suggests a selective approach aimed at providers and applications deemed noncompliant with national regulations, rather than a blanket prohibition of all VPN technology. The distinction indicates ongoing efforts to balance information security with legitimate privacy and business needs, while ensuring that enforcement targets activities that contravene the legal framework.
Earlier in October, Sheikin submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Digital Development asking for restrictions on the distribution of VPN services within the RuStore marketplace. The request emphasizes compliance with Russian legislation as a prerequisite for distribution, signaling a push to tighten oversight across digital distribution channels and reduce access to noncompliant VPN offerings within the domestic market.
Previously, Roskomnadzor had commented on its approach to VPN blocking in Russia, outlining the policy and practical considerations involved in restricting access to certain networking tools. The evolving policy illustrates a broader pattern in which the state expands the list of restricted content and controls the distribution of technologies designed to circumvent such restrictions. The changes are part of a continual process of adapting regulatory mechanisms to the rapid development of online services, with the aim of preserving information sovereignty while addressing security and control concerns.
Overall, these developments reflect a strategic shift in Russia’s digital governance. By enlarging the scope of prohibited information to include bypass instructions and by signaling intent to block noncompliant VPN services, authorities are signaling a robust stance on enforcing legal boundaries in the online ecosystem. Observers note that the policy trajectory will likely influence how VPN providers and app marketplaces operate in the Russian market, potentially affecting availability, compliance obligations, and the tools that residents can legally access for secure and private internet use. The ongoing dialogue among regulators, lawmakers, and digital economy officials indicates a continually evolving landscape where enforcement, public policy, and market dynamics intersect to shape user experiences online. (attribution: regulatory acts portal; statements from the Federation Council and the State Duma reports)