Roskomnadzor rules out imposing fines on VPNs

They noted that the agency’s order to provide you with data that allows you to identify “media and user equipment on the Internet” does not and cannot impose fines for VPN use.

“There is a serious error in such assumptions. The order does not and cannot impose sanctions. “This draft order of Roskomnadzor does not concern the use of VPN services,” they said in the press service.

Previously, IT experts and lawyers informed the Hi-Tech Mail portal about possible fines for using a VPN. They noted that Roskomnadzor has the ability to identify users of VPN services, but the introduction of fines will require refinement of the legislative framework.

These statements were discussed in the State Duma. The head of the information policy committee of the Lower House, Sergei Boyarsky, stated that the experts’ opinions are based “on feelings.” A member of the same committee, Anton Nemkin, clarified that the issue of introducing fines “is not on the agenda.”

Roskomnadzor last week published a draft order that would force operators to provide it with data to identify “communications equipment and user equipment on the Internet.” These requirements will allow the regulator to receive information about users accessing blocked sites, Vedomosti wrote.

The press service of RKN RB.RU reported that the measure is necessary to prevent cyber attacks and that data “about users’ personal devices” will not be collected, since they are “not necessary to counter threats.”

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