Today, a ban on searching for 'extremist materials' on the internet has come into effect. The administrative article provides for fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles.
The concept of 'extremist materials' is explained in Article 1 of the Federal Law 'On Countering Extremist Activities'. It includes two types of extremist materials. The first is the works of leaders of the National Socialist Party of Germany and the works of fascists. These are automatically considered extremist materials, regardless of whether they are included in any lists or not, because they are specifically mentioned in the law. The second is the federal list of 'extremist materials', which is posted on the website of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. It contains more than 5,000 items.
The law states that the offense is the simultaneous commission of two actions. This is the search for knowingly 'extremist materials' and gaining access to them.
Also, from September 1, 2025, Roskomnadzor will start blocking websites for promoting childfree propaganda.
Today, a new regulation has come into effect, according to which transferring your SIM card to another person will result in a penalty ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles. However, only those offenders whose 'actions do not contain signs of a criminally punishable act' will get away with fines; in this case, they may be sentenced to up to three years.
In addition, amendments have come into effect whereby using VPN will become an aggravating factor, meaning the court can impose a stricter punishment within the maximum limits established by law, but not exceeding the maximum term or size of the punishment provided for by the specific article of the Criminal Code. This rule applies to all articles of the Criminal Code.
Also, from September 1, advertising on websites of 'undesirable' and 'extremist' organizations is prohibited, with Instagram, for example, falling under the ban.
Further tightening has come into effect regarding 'foreign agents', who are now prohibited from engaging in any educational and enlightening activities.