🚨 *Russia's New Internet Laws: What You Need to Know* 📱
As of September 1, 2025, Russia has implemented several new laws restricting internet usage. Here's a breakdown of the key changes ¹:
*1. Fines for Searching Extremist Materials* 🔍
- Searching for or accessing extremist materials can result in fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles ($37-$62).
- The law's enforcement remains unclear, but users may face penalties for unintentionally stumbling upon banned content.
*2. VPN Restrictions* 🚫
- Advertising or promoting VPNs that bypass restrictions is prohibited, with fines up to 500,000 rubles ($6,200) for organizations.
- Using VPNs may become an aggravating factor in crimes, potentially leading to harsher punishments.
*3. SIM Card Sharing Ban* 📞
- Sharing SIM cards or accounts with friends or family is now banned.
- If a crime is committed using your account, you may face significant fines or even prison time.
*4. Mandatory State Messenger App "MAX"*
- Every new smartphone sold in Russia will come preinstalled with the "MAX" messenger app.
- This app is heavily promoted across the country and is considered "perfectly secure" by the government.
*5. RuStore: Russia's Domestic App Store* 📈
- RuStore will be forced onto every new smartphone, and phones without it may be deemed "defective."
- Apple has refused to comply with this demand, potentially altering the market landscape.
6. Instagram Ad Ban* 📣
$WLFI - Instagram ads are now banned in Russia, affecting influencers who rely on this platform for income.
$XRP *7. Music Censorship* 🎵
- Strict censorship of music mentioning "drugs" is now in place, with popular rappers rewriting lyrics to avoid charges.
*8. "Foreign Agent" Book Ban* 📚
- Books by authors labeled as "foreign agents" are banned, and works may be pulled from stores and destroyed.
$SOL These new laws aim to increase government control over the internet and restrict access to information. Stay informed and exercise caution when navigating the Russian internet landscape ²
#InternetFreedom #russia #Censorship #VPN #DigitalRights