Bank secrecy abolished in Russia: FSB gains direct access to accounts and communications
Photo: The FSB has gained unlimited power in Russia (24.tv)
Russia has effectively completed the formation of a police state, where intelligence services have gained unrestricted control over finances, communications, and citizens’ private data, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
Total control over data and communications
According to intelligence reports, starting April 1, the FSB has been granted the right to demand copies of databases from any organization without a court order, including banks, corporations, and research institutions.
In just the first quarter of 2026, the agency’s powers were expanded five times.
In addition, since February, the FSB has been able to disconnect citizens from communications and internet access at its own discretion. In March, so-called whitelists of permitted resources were introduced in Moscow, which remain accessible during network shutdowns.
The agency has already tested these mechanisms by cutting off internet access in several districts of the Russian capital.
Repressive tools and pre-trial detention centers
The security service has officially been granted the authority to open its own pre-trial detention centers. De facto, facilities such as Lefortovo or the Taganrog SIZO-2 (pre-trial detention center, where Ukrainian prisoners are held) have always been under their control, but now this has been formalized in law.
Oversight of the scientific sector has also been tightened — both state and private institutions are now required to submit plans for all research involving foreign participants into a unified database.
Communication platforms are now required to store user data for three years instead of one.
Plans to expand influence
The Foreign Intelligence Service added that the FSB’s next steps include taking control over the import and export of any surveillance devices, as well as introducing blacklists of IMEI codes for gadgets.
A separate focus will be checking Russian artificial intelligence models for "sovereignty" — effectively assessing their suitability for use in the interests of the security services.
Digital repression by the FSB
Russia has been steadily tightening digital censorship, drawing on the experience of Iran and China. In March 2026, mass internet and communication shutdowns affected dozens of regions across Russia, including Moscow. The Kremlin traditionally justifies such measures by citing a "threat from the West."
It was previously reported that Russian authorities plan to grant the FSB so-called "digital kill switch" powers. This would allow the agency to completely block internet access and telephone communications at any moment.
In addition, Russia is introducing financial penalties for the use of VPN services and international traffic, while businesses may be forced to pay for the use of email services.
