Russia to double internet censorship budget in 2027, plotting new VPN traffic fee

The Russian government is planning a significant escalation in its internet censorship efforts, with budget drafts indicating a doubling of spending on its automated filtering system to nearly $235 million by 2027. Total censorship-related funding is projected to reach 60 billion rubles over the next three years. The initiative, managed by the federal censor Roskomnadzor, aims to achieve a 92% efficiency rate in blocking VPN services by 2030 through enhanced Deep Packet Inspection and increased network throughput. Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the Ministry of Digital Development is considering financial deterrents, including potential fees for international traffic on 5G networks to discourage VPN usage. Additionally, new legislation, "Anti-Fraud 3.0," seeks to penalize domestic hosting providers that support VPN or proxy services. These measures represent a tightening of digital control as the state continues its efforts to restrict access to international information and bypasses.