Russia Sovereign Internet VPN Ban: State Control Over Digital Communications

Russia intensified enforcement of its sovereign internet law, blocking VPN services, restricting access to foreign platforms, and building infrastructure to isolate the Russian internet from the global network. The government ordered internet providers to install deep packet inspection equipment enabling real-time monitoring and filtering of internet traffic. Major VPN services were banned or degraded, with protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard specifically targeted for blocking. Russia successfully tested disconnecting from the global internet in isolation exercises, demonstrating the technical capability for complete digital isolation. The restrictions escalated following the Ukraine invasion, with Russian authorities blocking access to independent media, social media platforms, and communication tools. Russian citizens face criminal penalties for using VPNs to access blocked content, though enforcement has been inconsistent. The model has been studied and partially replicated by other authoritarian governments seeking to control domestic internet access.

The ramifications of this incident extend beyond the immediate data exposure. Privacy regulators in multiple jurisdictions have opened investigations, and affected individuals are organizing collective action to demand accountability and meaningful remediation. The case highlights systemic weaknesses in how organizations handle personal data and the gap between corporate privacy promises and operational reality.

For impacted individuals, immediate action is critical. Filing a data subject access request forces the company to disclose exactly what data they hold about you, providing the foundation for deletion requests, regulatory complaints, and potential legal action. Below, we outline the specific data types at risk and the concrete steps you can take to protect yourself.