State Duma deputy Anton Gorelkin has been discussing with legal experts the possibility of declaring darknet usage illegal in Russia. He shared these considerations after consulting a team of lawyers, reporting the conversations through his Telegram channel. Gorelkin characterised the dark web as a sanctuary for anonymous criminals and voiced a firm stance on tightening laws in this area. He argued that Russia records more users of the internet’s shadow sector than any other country, and he warned that the region known for digital freedom has effectively become a refuge for cybercriminals. In his view, keeping darknet access lawful would let harmful activity flourish, and he expressed the belief that the Tor browser should never be considered a permissible option, not even out of mere curiosity. This reflects a broader trend in discussions about online security and personal data protection within the Russian policy arena, where public officials weigh how to balance information freedom with the need to curb illicit activity. The ongoing dialogue underscores a wider push toward stronger oversight of online spaces and the tools people use to access them, while signaling that lawmakers are looking for concrete legal instruments to regulate or restrict access to anonymizing networks.
Earlier reporting from Kommersant suggested that the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation has presented to the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, IT and Communications two draft laws aimed at tightening the procedures governing the handling of Russian citizens’ personal data. The implication of these drafts is a move toward more stringent data protection and supervisory measures, aligning with the government’s broader agenda to regulate digital infrastructure and information flows within the country. Analysts note that such proposed legislation could increase compliance requirements for tech companies operating in Russia and affect cross-border data transfers as part of Russia’s evolving data governance framework. The overall policy conversation appears to be shaping a cautious approach to both online anonymity and nationwide data stewardship, signaling potential shifts in how digital rights and security are balanced in the Russian legislative environment. In this atmosphere, public statements by Gorelkin and the steps reported by Kommersant are viewed as part of a larger policy debate about the future of internet freedom, cybersecurity, and individual data rights in the Russian Federation.