MOSCOW (Realist English). Russia is not considering a full ban on VPN services, but will continue targeted restrictions against platforms that violate national laws, a senior lawmaker said in comments to TASS.
Deputy chairman of the State Duma’s information policy committee, Anton Gorelkin, said proposals to prohibit VPN technology outright are not under discussion. “Such initiatives are not being considered,” he said.
Gorelkin emphasized that VPN services remain an important tool for businesses, particularly for secure data transmission and corporate network management. He warned that a blanket ban would negatively affect the country’s digital economy, noting that VPN technology is widely used in the corporate sector.
At the same time, he confirmed that regulators will continue to act against services that enable access to content deemed illegal under Russian law. The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) is expected to maintain what he described as a “targeted” enforcement approach.
Russia has increased controls over internet access in recent years, including restrictions on platforms and services that do not comply with data storage and content regulation requirements. VPN services have often been used by users to bypass such controls.
Analytically, the statement reflects a dual approach: preserving critical digital infrastructure for business while maintaining regulatory pressure on information flows accessible to the public.
The key question is how narrowly enforcement will be applied in practice, and whether targeted restrictions could gradually expand, effectively limiting access to a broader range of VPN services over time.
