Hosting providers may be banned from providing access for owners of VPN services...

Hosting providers may be banned from providing access for owners of VPN services.

Ahead of the second reading of the Anti-Fraud 2.0 bill, measures against VPNs have been proposed: hosting providers may be prohibited from providing capacity to websites and services that give access to information blocked in Russia, Kommersant writes. In practice, this would restrict work with VPN owners, although the document does not yet specify penalties for violations. Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development clarified that the amendments are still being coordinated and that there is no final version yet.

Market participants note that if the law is adopted, hosting companies will be required to check clients and refuse service to violators, which will strengthen oversight and interaction with Roskomnadzor. This could lead to higher prices and additional costs, while the industry is already under regulatory pressure. At the same time, experts emphasize that the provision is still at the discussion stage, and its actual impact on the market remains unclear.