The Android operating system, used by millions of Russians, is tied to working with a Google account. However, this didn’t stop the State Duma from passing a law that introduces fines for authorization through foreign services on Russian websites and apps. Alarming headlines immediately appeared, as if you’d now have to pay for logging in through Google or Apple ID. In reality, things work a bit differently. Let’s break down what exactly has changed, who the rule applies to, and what will happen to the familiar one-click Google login on sites like marketplaces, online cinemas, and delivery services.

Russia has banned logging into websites through a Google account

What the Google Authorization Ban Means

The law introduces administrative liability for Russian websites or apps that allow login through Google, Apple ID, and other foreign services. OAuth services here refer to those “Sign in with Google” and “Sign in with Apple” buttons — a mechanism where you authorize using someone else’s account without a separate password.

The key point: liability falls on owners of Russian websites and apps, not on end users. It is the businesses that must restructure their login systems if they still rely on foreign accounts or foreign email as the primary login method.

Fine Amounts for Google Login Violations

A violation is considered failure to fulfill the obligation to conduct authorization using methods permitted in Russia. The following fines are imposed:

  • for individuals — from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles;
  • for officials — from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles;
  • for legal entities — from 500,000 to 700,000 rubles.

“Individuals” here refers to those who are responsible for a website or service in a private capacity, not every visitor. There are no fines for personal login through Google — this is explicitly stated in the clarification.

Permitted Login Methods on Websites

Now we log in only through Gosuslugi and other domestic services

The law requires Russian resources to rely only on identification methods listed in national legislation. Permitted methods include:

  • authorization through Russian services;
  • login via mobile phone number;
  • government systems like ESIA (the Gosuslugi account) and the Unified Biometric System, where applicable.

A website owner who currently allows login through Google will need to make local identification the primary method and either remove the foreign buttons or keep them only as supplementary options. Otherwise, there is a risk of receiving a fine during an inspection.

Can You Still Use Google in Russia

In practice, you will gradually stop seeing the familiar one-click login through foreign ecosystems on Russian services. Instead of a Google button on a marketplace, online cinema, or delivery service, you’ll more often be offered login via phone number, through a Russian account, or through Gosuslugi, whose accounts are constantly being hacked.

What exactly will happen with already created accounts that you registered through foreign IDs is not yet clear — this will be determined as enforcement practice develops. The most logical expectation is that services will ask you to link a phone number or another permitted login method so you don’t lose access.

For now, you can still use your Google account

This is not the first initiative changing familiar digital life scenarios in the country. Against the backdrop of ideas like banning smartphones for children, the current law appears to be part of a broader trend toward infrastructure localization. A similar logic can be seen in discussions about calls that authorities want to ban from foreign numbers.

What Will Happen After the Google Authorization Ban

The short answer is nothing critical. Users face no consequences for logging in through Google, Apple ID, or foreign email: no fines, no account blocks, no liability. The entire burden falls on businesses, which will need to update their login systems.

The only thing to be prepared for in practice is the disappearance of foreign service login buttons on Russian websites and requests to link a phone number. It makes sense to check in advance that your important accounts have a current phone number linked, so you don’t lose access when a service removes Google or Apple login.