Russian Federation - August 2025
New law penalizes ‘extremist’ internet searches
A Russian law in effect from 1 September introduces penalties for deliberately searching the Internet for content the Russian government considers ‘extremist’ and for violating new rules on the usage of VPNs. The former offense is punishable with fines of up to RUB 5,000 (USD 60), and the latter with fines of RUB 80,000 to RUB 500,000 (USD 1,000 to USD 6,000) for individuals and businesses, respectively. Russia’s legal definition of extremist content is broad, and includes literature depicting same-sex relationships, social media activity by opposition political parties, content from independent media outlets and human rights groups, religious materials from Jehovah’s Witnesses, and more.
Sources: Meduza, Official Internet Portal for Legal Information
Update: Sergei Glukhikh, a medical student in the Ural town of of Kamensk-Uralsky, became the first person prosecuted under the law. Glukhikh searched for information about Ukraine’s Azov Battalion and a pro-Ukrainian Russian paramilitary group, by his account to remind himself who these organizations were, after coming across pictures of their insignias while reading on his phone. He was detained by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB) three hours later, reportedly because his telecommunications operator immediately informed the FSB of his search
