Russia could soon ban the Tor Project and other virtual private networks (VPNs) in an supposed bid to tackle malware distribution, which is often traced to hackers operating in Eastern Europe.
Several public figures have condemned the use of anonymising tools within the last week, which are used by both criminals and political campaigners in order to protect themselves from the attention of the authorities.
Leonid Levin, chair of the parliamentary committee on information policy, told a security forum: "International tensions and the increase in technological and international crime has forced us to invest significant additional funds to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
"This is logical and justified, but it is still not a full system of information control."
His comments were later supported by a spokesman from the media regulator Roskomnadzor, as well as the Safe Internet League, a telecoms trade body.
Denis Davydov, executive director of the group, said: "We strongly support the idea of limiting Russia’s access to anonymous networks, including Tor.
"The invisible Internet has made it possible for offenders of all stripes to hide their intentions from the state and use it to commit crimes: acquiring drugs and weapons, distributing child porn, trafficking humans (including sex slaves), and leading political agitation."
He added that the Tor was an American tool that was being used by US spies to "expand the hegemony of the US around the world".
Tor has been contacted for comment.
