Russian lawmakers have passed sweeping new legislation that imposes fines on citizens for searching for or accessing online content deemed 'extremist' by the government. The law expands previous restrictions, which already criminalized sharing such content, to now include merely searching for it—even when using VPNs. Critics argue that the vague definition of 'extremist' could be used to target dissent, independent journalism, and protest art, such as Pussy Riot videos. The move is part of a broader crackdown on internet freedom and digital privacy in Russia, with additional penalties for advertising or using VPN services. Human rights groups warn that these measures escalate censorship and further suppress free expression and dissent.
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