Putin Signs Law on Punishment for Seeking Extremist Content

• The law introduces penalties for intentionally seeking extremist content.
• Fines can reach up to 5,000 rubles for violations.
• The changes will take effect from January 1, 2025.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin has signed a law that introduces fines for "intentional" searches for banned materials on the internet, including through VPNs. The draft law was published on the official legal portal of Russia and will take effect from January 1, 2025.

In accordance with the new legislation, individuals who "intentionally" sought "extremist" content may face fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles (approximately $37 to $62). Additionally, penalties will be introduced for "violating the rules" of using VPNs. Fines for VPN advertisers can range from 50,000 to 80,000 rubles ($620 to $990), while for government officials — from 80,000 to 150,000 rubles ($990 to $1,850).

This law reinforces increased control over the internet in Russia. Authorities are not entirely clear on how they will track offenders, but officials have stated that ordinary users will not be prosecuted unless they are actively seeking banned content. However, as noted by the Minister of Digital Development Maksim Shadayev, prosecutors will need to prove the intent of individuals to search for such content.

This initiative is part of a broader campaign by the authorities to tighten control over information in the country, which has intensified since the onset of military actions in Ukraine in the summer of 2022. Following this, online censorship and the persecution of publications on social media have significantly increased.

Tags: Russia/Politics