Russia Expands Digital Surveillance of Its Citizens

Russia's Ministry of Digital Development published new regulations in late May 2026 that upgrade SORM, the country's system for monitoring internet activity. SORM stands for System for Operative Investigative Activities. This system allows Russian authorities to watch what citizens do online, read their messages, and track their communications. The new technical standards make this surveillance more comprehensive and easier for authorities to conduct. This directly affects anyone living in Russia or communicating with people there.

If you have family members, friends, or business contacts in Russia, their online communications are being monitored by the government. This includes emails, messaging apps, social media posts, and phone calls made over the internet. Russian citizens have very limited privacy when using the internet within their country. If you communicate with people in Russia, take these steps now. First, assume that anything you send to someone in Russia can be read by authorities. Do not share sensitive personal information, political opinions, or anything you would not want a government to see. Second, avoid asking your contacts in Russia to share information that could put them at risk. Third, use encrypted messaging apps like Signal if possible, but understand that even encryption may not provide complete protection in Russia. This situation reminds us that internet privacy varies dramatically by country. When you travel internationally or communicate across borders, research the digital privacy laws of the countries involved. What feels private and secure in one country may be completely visible to authorities in another. Adjust your communication habits based on where your messages are going.