Russia Passes VPN Restrictions and Considers Potential Ban on WhatsApp

Tech
By 24matins.uk,  published 24 July 2025 at 13h58, updated on 24 July 2025 at 13h58.
Tech

Russia has passed new legislation that imposes restrictions on the use of VPN services, tightening state control over internet access. Lawmakers are also considering a potential ban on WhatsApp, further signaling a crackdown on digital communication platforms.

Tl;dr

  • Russia enacts harsh penalties for online extremism searches.
  • VPN promotion and usage now risk severe fines.
  • WhatsApp faces likely ban, alternatives pushed by authorities.

    • Stiff Penalties Tighten Russia’s Grip on Online Anonymity

    As new legislation passes through the Duma, the digital landscape in Russia is witnessing an unmistakable tightening. What stands out most sharply in this latest move is a law that not only criminalizes searching for « matériaux extrémistes » online, but also extends its net over tools like the top VPN services—long seen as lifelines for those trying to evade censorship. Advertising or promoting VPNs now comes with a price: heavy financial penalties are set to be imposed without hesitation.

    The specifics of the law reveal just how uncompromising the approach has become. For instance, anyone caught advertising VPN services could face fines up to 500,000 roubles—around $6,300—for corporations. Individuals simply searching for banned content may be charged between 1,000 and 5,000 roubles. Public officials aren’t immune either; those found promoting VPN usage risk up to 150,000 roubles in penalties. In spite of official assurances from Digital Minister Maksut Shadayev, who recently claimed that « les utilisateurs ordinaires ne seront pas concernés », it’s difficult to see how everyday users will escape scrutiny given the breadth of these measures.

    For foreign visitors or residents planning a trip to Russia, there’s a clear takeaway: install all necessary privacy tools before setting foot in the country. While outright use of VPNs isn’t fully outlawed yet, those making use of them are treading increasingly thin ice.

    Kremlin Eyes WhatsApp as Next Target

    Concurrently, Russian authorities appear intent on escalating their campaign against encrypted messaging platforms. With nearly 100 million Russians relying on WhatsApp, speculation abounds regarding its imminent removal from the Russian market—a move hinted at by Deputy Anton Gorelkin, who remarked it was « temps pour WhatsApp de se préparer à quitter le marché russe ». It’s no secret that this aligns with efforts to steer citizens toward domestic alternatives such as state-backed MAX.

    Here’s a breakdown of current messaging platform preferences among Russians:

  • WhatsApp: trusted by 68% of internet users;
  • Telegram: used by 55%, though encryption is inconsistent;
  • Lesser-known options: Signal and Threema remain niche choices.

    • Censorship Intensifies Amid Digital Pushback

    While authorities publicly justify these changes as necessary for combating extremism or ensuring « digital sovereignty, » critics argue they mask an ever-tighter grip on both information and individual privacy. Legal loopholes expose journalists, activists—even average citizens—to growing risks. Yet despite mounting pressure, many Russians cling to VPNs and encrypted apps as vital shields against pervasive state control—testament to enduring resistance within a censored environment that only grows more restrictive with each passing month.