Russia fines online searches for 'extremist' content under new law

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law imposing fines on individuals who deliberately search for or access online content labeled as "extremist," including through VPNs, with penalties up to approximately $60. The legislation expands the state's broad and politically charged definition of extremism to include opposition groups, LGBTQ+ content, and various banned materials such as songs and websites critical of the Kremlin. Authorities have not clarified how they will distinguish between casual users and those methodically seeking outlawed content, despite claims that ordinary users will not be targeted. This move is part of a wider crackdown on internet freedom and dissent following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, during which censorship, prosecutions of activists, and shutdowns of independent media have sharply increased. The law also bans advertising VPN services and fines individuals for transferring SIM cards, further restricting online privacy tools widely used to bypass state censorship. Critics condemn the legislation as a severe attack on freedom of expression, likening it to totalitarian measures reminiscent of Orwell's "1984."