Russian lawmakers on Thursday approved a contentious law that significantly broadens the government's power to penalize internet users — not for posting banned content, but merely for searching or viewing it.

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Ukraine Invasion

Russian lawmakers are considering a bill that would fine individuals for deliberately searching for or accessing online content classified as extremist by authorities. The proposed law covers a wide range of materials, including songs, blog posts, and certain Wikipedia pages, and targets both direct and VPN-enabled access to platforms like Instagram, which is already banned in Russia. Fines would not apply to users who encounter such material incidentally, but only to those who intentionally seek it out. 

The bill has prompted concerns among lawmakers and experts about increased surveillance and the risk of abuse by law enforcement. Critics warn that even officials monitoring extremist content or citizens reporting potential threats could be penalized under the draft law. The Kremlin has acknowledged the strong public reaction but has not commented further. The bill must pass several legislative stages before becoming law.

New Russian law criminalizes online searches for controversial content

Russia's proposed bill on fining internet users for accessing online content labelled as extremist by Russian authorities is stirring fierce debate among pro-Kremlin voices. The so-called extremist content ranges from songs glorifying Ukraine, blog posts by feminist rock bands to Wikipedia pages on dynamite. Anyone who, with or without a VPN, goes on, for example, Instagram, which is already recognised as an extremist community, and same for Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have not yet. And those who, for any reason, access the 6,000 extremist materials listed, books, film, music, all of them will be subject to appropriate fines. But lawmakers are sure that only the deliberate search for extremist material would result in fines of 5,000 rubles or 55 euros. If you googled something and this material came up in the search bar, but you purposely did not go in, did not familiarise yourself with it, did not use it in any way, you will not be subject under this law. The bill has prompted concern from other lawmakers and experts on the increased surveillance and possible abuse by law enforcement. The head of the Kremlin-aligned Safe Internet League, Yekaterina Mezulina, warned that the legislation could backfire on police or authorities' crackdown on dissent. What's most striking is that under the draft law, even interior ministry officials monitoring such content could technically be acting illegally. And any private citizen who reports, say, potential school shooters to law enforcement could also face fines. The Kremlin has declined to comment, but acknowledged that the bill has sparked a strong public reaction. The bill requires three readings and approval by the state Duma's upper house before President Putin can sign it into law. If passed, it would take effect on September 1st.

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New Russian law criminalizes online searches for controversial content

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