More than 30 digital-rights and security experts have issued a public rebuke of recent Russian measures that target VPNs and encrypted messaging apps.

The open letter, released on 16 September 2025, argues that state actions go beyond routine regulation and instead form part of a broader campaign against basic human rights.

Signatories include civil-society organizations such as Access Now, Article 19, the Center for Democracy & Technology and the Tor Project, together with providers of leading privacy tools — Nord Security, Proton and TutaMail, among others.

The group also objects to a government mandate requiring new smartphones and tablets sold in Russia to ship with the state-backed MAX app pre-installed, a non‑encrypted alternative pushed onto users starting 1 September.

WhatsApp — until now the last widely-used end-to-end encrypted messenger still functioning in Russia — is now at heightened risk as Moscow tightens its censorship apparatus; Russian authorities have labeled Meta an “extremist” organization.

A law passed in July that criminalizes searching for so-called “extremist” content further compounds the pressure: using a VPN to access such material is treated as an aggravating factor under the new rules.

The experts warn that blocking encrypted services while forcing state-controlled, unencrypted apps onto devices undermines privacy and safety at scale.

They call on the international community to respond decisively, stressing that “free, private, and secure communication is not a privilege, but a fundamental right that must be protected everywhere.”

Russia's Digital Sovereignty Push Threatens Privacy and Freedom

In an alarming trend of digital authoritarianism, Russia continues to expand restrictions on secure communications technologies, raising significant human rights concerns among international observers.

The country's internet regulator has systematically targeted encrypted communications platforms over recent years, with secure email providers facing blocks since 2020. The crackdown has recently intensified to include popular messaging services, with authorities considering extending bans to more widely-used applications.

"When a government restricts access to encryption tools, they're essentially denying citizens their fundamental rights," noted one security expert. "This represents a concerning pattern of control over information flow and private communication."

Beyond blocking external services, the Russian government is actively promoting domestically-developed alternatives. Security researchers examining these state-backed applications have identified potential surveillance capabilities that could compromise user privacy.

The battle against circumvention technologies has escalated dramatically in 2024. While not explicitly outlawing virtual private networks (VPNs), Russian authorities have implemented sophisticated blocking techniques and introduced legislation penalizing those who share information about censorship bypass methods.

Global technology companies have faced mounting pressure to comply with removal requests. One major platform has already removed dozens of privacy applications from its Russian marketplace, including locally-developed security tools.

"This two-pronged approach of targeting both encrypted platforms and circumvention tools creates a particularly challenging environment," explained a digital rights advocate. "Citizens are left with diminishing options for secure and private communications."

The restrictions coincide with significant government investment in technologies designed to isolate the Russian internet from global networks, with regional disconnection tests already underway as part of the country's "sovereign internet" initiative.

For ordinary Russians seeking privacy protection, the situation grows increasingly difficult as authorities implement more sophisticated detection methods while simultaneously criminalizing assistance in finding workarounds to digital restrictions.

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