New changes for the rules of administrative crimes, effective on September 1, is only responsible for conscious access, including Via VPN, for extremist documents. This was said by the first Deputy Director of the State Construction Committee of Artem Sheikin.
From September 1, 2025, changes to the Administrative Crime Code are being implemented, introducing administrative responsibility for the intentional search for extremist documents, including the use of VPN.
It is important to understand that we are in particular about intentional and conscious approaches on the recognized extremist documents published in the official list of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. The fact of a random conversion to link or simply using VPN services does not form the composition of the criminal act, Mr. Sheilikin said.
For access platforms such as Instagram or Facebook (banned in the Russian Federation is extremist), a fine is not provided, if a search is targeted for extremist content does not occur, the Senator notes.
“The scale of the administrative fine for the intentional search is from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles. The fine for the advertising VPN services is also effective: for citizens – up to 80,000 rubles, for legal entities – up to 500,000 rubles. It is important to emphasize: The use of VPN is not prohibited.”
Moreover, the law does not limit the access to information, if it is not recognized as extremist, only the search for intentional for extremist documents has been banned by the Court, any other Internet operates through VPN without violation and has no administrative responsibility, he added.