Russia Bans Foreign Email Services for User Authentication, Restricting Gmail and Apple ID
Key Takeaways
- ▸Foreign email services (Gmail, Apple ID) are now banned for user authorization on Russian websites
- ▸All user registration must use Russian phone numbers, Gosuslugi portal, or Russian-owned biometric systems
- ▸Companies face fines up to 700,000 rubles for violations, 1.4 million for repeat offenses
Summary
The Russian State Duma has adopted legislation banning the use of foreign email and authentication services like Gmail and Apple ID on local internet resources. The law requires all user registration on Russian websites to occur exclusively through Russian phone numbers, the Gosuslugi portal, the Unified Biometric System, or other information systems owned by Russian citizens and companies. This move represents a significant restriction on foreign technology services and reflects Russia's broader push for digital sovereignty and control over user data flows. Violators face substantial fines: up to 700,000 rubles for legal entities, escalating to 1.4 million rubles for repeat offenses, with even higher penalties (3-5 million rubles) for communication operators failing to cooperate with law enforcement.
- Communication operators face fines of 3-5 million rubles for non-compliance with law enforcement cooperation
- The legislation reflects Russia's digital sovereignty agenda and increased control over internet infrastructure
