March 31, 2026
Authorities prepare a "VPN tax" and ban Apple ID top-ups. How will users and free internet defenders respond: analyzing the main questions
The Ministry of Digital Development announced from April 1st a ban on paying for Apple services from mobile operator accounts. Additionally, according to Forbes sources, new measures to pressure VPN service users were discussed at a ministry meeting: an additional charge for international traffic, limiting VPN use for accessing platforms on "white lists," and potentially administrative fines for VPN use. Minister Maksut Shadaev personally stated he would "like to avoid" the latter measure. IT experts Mikhail Klimarev and Leonid Yuldashov told "Novaya-Europe" that the technical implementation of many of these measures raises questions. However, experts agree that completely blocking VPNs in Russia, at least for now, will not be possible – it will only lead to new costs for users and businesses. "Novaya-Europe," together with experts, answers questions about what users and defenders of a free internet can do to counter the new restrictions.
TL;DR
- Russia bans mobile payments for Apple services from April 1st, impacting VPN payments and general Apple ID top-ups.
- Potential new measures against VPNs include charges for international traffic, restrictions on accessing "white-listed" platforms, and possible administrative fines.
- IT experts express doubts about the technical implementation of these measures and believe a complete VPN ban is unlikely.
- Users can circumvent the Apple ID payment ban using gift cards or foreign bank cards, though with added costs.
- A proposed "international traffic tax" aims to monetize VPN usage, but its implementation and effectiveness are uncertain.
- Experts suggest technical workarounds like using intermediate Russian servers or split-tunneling to bypass traffic limitations.
- Restrictions on VPN access to "white-listed" platforms could impact Russian businesses with international operations.
- While administrative fines for VPN use are discussed, the ministry has indicated a desire to avoid them.
- Experts predict increased costs for VPN services and a potential decline in internet quality due to these restrictions.
- Workarounds and strategies for users to adapt to the new regulations are already being developed.
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