Russian authorities are trying to reduce the use of VPN services, claiming that they pose a danger to citizens. The statement was made by Sergei Boyarski, the head of the Information Policy Committee of the State Duma.
“We are trying by all means to discourage them, especially the young ones, from staying on the internet with the VPN constantly on, because it is not safe,” declared the deputy.
According to this, VPNs allow Russians to reach those “corners of the internet” from which the state tries to protect them.
Interest in VPNs has, however, surged following the blocking of WhatsApp and Telegram. According to Digital Budget, in March 2026 alone, VPN applications were downloaded 9.2 million times – 14 times more than in the same period last year. A Russian Field survey shows that 40% of Russians actively use such services.
Previously, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development confirmed that it has the task of reducing the use of VPNs. Among other things, telecommunications operators were asked not to expand the capacity of internet channels to Europe, and large companies – to block access via VPN to their own services.
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