Вводится Интернет по талонам: официально. Суды стали сажать за VPN. Блокировка Apple и Microsoft

Developments in Russia’s Internet Regulation

The presenter discusses four developments in Russia’s internet regulation, distinguishing proposed measures from rules already in force.

Proposed limits on foreign internet traffic

Citing Forbes and three sources, the presenter says the Ministry of Digital Development is considering routing traffic to foreign domains through Roskomnadzor’s filtering system and allowing it to set per-user limits. Earlier versions reportedly focused on additional charges for mobile data; the current proposal could also cover home internet. The ministry confirmed that changes are under discussion but said no final decision has been made.

The presenter says “foreign traffic” could include operating-system updates, app stores, Telegram, YouTube, Steam, games, and cloud services—potentially a substantial share of everyday internet use. He argues that distinguishing domestic from foreign traffic and imposing individual quotas would be technically difficult, could require extensive real-time monitoring, and might degrade connectivity for everyone. He remains cautiously hopeful that the proposal could be diluted during implementation.

VPN use cited in detention requests

The presenter reports that investigators have begun citing VPNs, disappearing messages, and similar privacy tools as signs of “conspiracy” when asking courts to place suspects in pretrial detention. He cites Human Rights Council member Eva Merkacheva’s account of the practice.

In his view, this is a troubling use of private technology against defendants, but it does not mean that VPN use itself is illegal: he says there is no criminal or administrative penalty simply for using one. He also notes that a law in force since 2025 allows access to blocked resources to be considered an aggravating circumstance when sentencing for another crime.

The presenter expects mass prosecution for VPN use to be impractical, though he warns that the effect may be to intimidate people into removing VPNs.

Apple and Microsoft added to a state register

Apple and Microsoft have reportedly been added to Russia’s register of information dissemination organizers, which brings data-retention and disclosure requirements under the Yarovaya Law. The presenter says Apple services such as iMessage, FaceTime, and iCloud, and Microsoft products including Teams and Outlook, could be affected.

He expects the companies are unlikely to comply, which could lead to fines and, ultimately, a legal basis for blocking their services. He cautions that this does not mean a block is imminent, but says the registration may be groundwork for one.

Proposed identification of social-media users

Roskomnadzor has prepared a bill requiring age identification for social-network users, reportedly to ensure minors see age-appropriate content. The presenter argues that reliably identifying minors would require checking users generally, likely through identity documents, government services, biometrics, or another digital identification method. In his analysis, the proposal could therefore amount to mandatory identification for all social-media users.

The bill’s verification mechanism and future status remain unclear. Roskomnadzor denied a separate claim that it had proposed limiting the time children under 14 can spend online.

People

• Presenter: Andrey
• Person cited: Eva Merkacheva