Report on Human Rights Implications of VPN Censorship in Russia

Summary of the Report

This report examines the role of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in Russia as a tool for protecting human rights and ensuring digital privacy amidst increasing government censorship and surveillance. VPNs are essential for protecting digital rights, particularly in authoritarian regimes where online censorship is prevalent.

According to UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye, VPNs safeguard personal privacy by encrypting internet traffic, preventing unauthorized access by governments, ISPs, and cybercriminals. This aligns with Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects against arbitrary interference in private life. VPNs also enable access to independent information, helping users bypass government-imposed restrictions on media, human rights organizations, and activists.

In Russia, VPNs serve as a crucial bridge between the tightly controlled domestic internet and external sources of information. They allow users to access independent media and dissident content that has been labeled as “foreign agent” or “extremist” by Russian authorities. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly ruled against Russian laws restricting VPN access, recognizing them as violations of free expression under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Key Findings

• VPNs enable secure access to independent media, human rights organizations, and online platforms restricted by the Russian government.

• Encryption safeguards users from surveillance, aligning with international human rights standards, including UN resolutions on digital privacy.

• The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has repeatedly ruled that Russia’s internet censorship laws violate fundamental rights.

Technical and Legal Developments

• In 2025, Russia expanded its Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology, known as TSPU, to block VPN services at a national scale.

• Authorities now block VPN protocols directly (OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard), making traditional circumvention methods ineffective.

• The government allocated 60 billion rubles ($600 million USD) in its 2025-2027 budget to further enhance VPN-blocking technologies.

• In March 2024, a law banned the dissemination of VPN-related information, making it illegal to educate users about bypassing censorship.

• In November 2024, a new order extended the ban to scientific research and statistical data on VPNs.

• Strict penalties have been introduced for non-compliance, forcing further self-censorship.

Corporate Compliance and the Role of Apple

• Corporations such as Apple are involved in censorship efforts by complying with Russian censorship legislation. Despite officially withdrawing from Russia, Apple continues to dominate the smartphone market (~30% share).

• In 2024, Apple removed over 100 VPN applications from the App Store following demands from Roskomnadzor.

• Unlike other censored countries, such as China and Iran, Russia’s large iPhone user base amplifies Apple’s influence, making its cooperation with Russian authorities particularly harmful to free speech.

• Human rights groups have called on Apple to stop complying with Russian censorship, but the company has not responded.

Conclusion

The increasing restrictions on VPN usage in Russia represent a severe violation of digital rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, and online privacy. The government’s technical, legal, and corporate measures to suppress VPNs are part of a broader strategy to control digital communication. These restrictions are supported by compliance policies of tech corporations which provide neither transparency nor accountability. In an era of growing digital authoritarianism, ensuring unrestricted access to VPNs remains a global priority for safeguarding internet freedom and human rights.