The senator explained the principle of imposing fines for searching for extremist materials

Russians may be fined for searching the Internet for extremist materials, including using VPN services. However, we are not talking about the introduction of mass, automatic monitoring of search queries — administrative cases will be initiated only if citizens apply, based on media materials or as part of verification measures "by the relevant authorities." Artem Sheikin, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Construction, told Izvestia about this, commenting on the relevant bill.

Digital cleansing: Russia plans to impose fines for searching for extremist materials and VPN advertising

The new law will strengthen control over access to prohibited content on the Internet

"Violations are recorded within the framework of departmental procedures. The law does not provide for automatic mass monitoring of all Internet requests," the parliamentarian assured.

According to the senator, deliberate search and access to materials included in the official lists of extremist materials approved by the Ministry of Justice by court decision will be considered prohibited.

"Awareness is proved through, for example, multiple searches for the same material, circumvention of blockages [using VPNs], discussions [of materials recognized by courts as extremist]," said Artem Sheikin. "Accidental clicks, single clicks, or viewing questionable pages is not a violation."

The bill, which will be considered by the State Duma in the second reading on July 17, suggests that for intentionally searching the Internet for information included in the federal list of extremist materials, the fine for citizens will amount to 3-5 thousand rubles.

A similar penalty is provided for accessing such information using VPN.

Separately, it is proposed to introduce fines for advertising such services — for citizens in 50-80 thousand rubles, for officials — up to 150 thousand rubles, for legal entities — up to 500 thousand rubles.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Forbidden entry: how the search for extremist materials on the Web will be detected