Investigators have begun to cite the use of VPNs and disappearing messages as an argument in favor of arrest, - Human Rights Council member Marcheva Investigators have begun to cite the use of VPNs and disappearing messaging apps when establishing arrest requests. A member of the Human Rights Council under President Eva Marcheva told Fontanka about it. According to her, the researchers began to see more and more "conspiracy methods" in the fact that a person uses a VPN, including disappearing messages or having "hidden contacts". She had never encountered such an argument before. "This is not only something new, but also such a signal for society," Marcheva said. Using a VPN while committing a crime was added to the list of aggravated circumstances in July 2025. The first known sentence under such aggravating circumstances was handed down by a court in the Tula region in December 2025 in a case of purchasing drugs on a website that only works through a VPN. In July 2026, the Investigative Committee prepared a bill to increase the penalties for crimes committed using VPNs and artificial intelligence. The deputy of the State Duma, Anton Tkachev, said that it could be adopted this fall.

Investigators have begun to cite the use of VPNs and disappearing messages as an argument in favor of arrest, - Human Rights Council member Marcheva Investigators have begun to cite the use of VPNs and disappearing messaging apps when establishing arrest requests. A member of the Human Rights Council under President Eva Marcheva told Fontanka about it. According to her, the researchers began to see more and more "conspiracy methods" in the fact that a person uses a VPN, including disappearing messages or having "hidden contacts". She had never encountered such an argument before. "This is not only something new, but also such a signal for society," Marcheva said. Using a VPN while committing a crime was added to the list of aggravated circumstances in July 2025. The first known sentence under such aggravating circumstances was handed down by a court in the Tula region in December 2025 in a case of purchasing drugs on a website that only works through a VPN. In July 2026, the Investigative Committee prepared a bill to increase the penalties for crimes committed using VPNs and artificial intelligence. The deputy of the State Duma, Anton Tkachev, said that it could be adopted this fall.