OREANDA-NEWS  The introduction of administrative liability for citizens for using VPNs is an excessive and counterproductive approach, according to Anton Tkachev, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy. He shared his opinion with Lenta.ru".

Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Finance of Russia, Maksut Shadaev, said that the ministry does not support the idea of introducing administrative responsibility for the use of VPNs. He explained that the agency's task is to reduce the use of VPNs in the country with minimal consequences and encumbrances for users.

The MP noted that many perceive VPNs as a tool for accessing prohibited content, while these technologies today are a basic tool for ensuring cybersecurity. The parliamentarian recalled that they are used by employees for remote work, people to protect personal data in public Wi-Fi networks, and businesses to protect corporate information.

"Punishing people for using data protection tools is a dead end. Our faction does not support the introduction of fines for ordinary users. Instead, we suggest focusing on the issue of transparency in relations with telecom operators. On the part of the legislature, I see my task in protecting the rights of citizens, and not in creating new repressive mechanisms against users," Tkachev said.

Earlier there were reports that Russian operators may introduce fees for using VPN services in Russia. According to some reports, telecom operators have been called upon to introduce fees for using more than 15 gigabytes of international traffic per month on mobile devices.