A clear-headed look at data, surveillance and privacy in 2025
The question “Is Russia spying on you?” sounds like something from a cold war thriller or a conspiracy theory forum. But in today’s interconnected world, it’s a valid concern, one that deserves a careful, objective look.
Modern surveillance doesn’t require secret agents in trench coats. Today, intelligence gathering happens through apps, cloud services and subtle legal tools. And Russia, like other major powers, has been repeatedly linked to digital surveillance operations. But what does that really mean for ordinary people?
From Soviet secrets to cloud-based collection
Spying has evolved. In the past, Soviet spies in the United States infiltrated institutions and passed physical documents to handlers. Instead of focusing on a few specific individuals, modern intelligence strategies operate quietly in the background, gathering and analyzing vast volumes of digital data.
Russian intelligence organizations, like the FSB and GRU are at the heart of this effort. These Russian organizations are known to use both technical tools and legal mechanisms to gather information, both within Russia and beyond.
According to a 2024 U.S. intelligence report, software products such as Kaspersky antivirus could allow sensitive user data to be accessed by Russian authorities. Kaspersky denies any wrongdoing, but the report highlights a larger issue: what happens when your data flows through systems that are subject to foreign government control?
Why data matters and who wants it
Understanding modern surveillance begins with understanding why companies collect data in the first place. Most apps, platforms and online services track user behavior to improve performance, deliver personalized ads and generate revenue. These everyday practices form the foundation of what’s often referred to as data collection techniques.
But once that data is collected, it doesn’t just sit there. It can be stored on servers across borders, sold to third parties, or accessed by governments under national laws. That’s where privacy concerns begin to overlap with geopolitics.
In countries like Russia, laws mandate that data on Russian citizens be stored domestically, where intelligence agencies can request access. New regulations set to take effect in 2025 give authorities even broader rights to inspect personal data. This doesn’t just affect Russian users, it has implications for anyone using platforms that operate in or interact with Russian systems.
Surveillance by proxy: The case of WeChat
An example of how global this issue has become can be found in the recent claim that Russian intelligence agencies have gained access to data from Chinese social media app WeChat. Whether or not the claim is accurate, it illustrates a key point: states may seek to gather data not only through their own companies, but also via foreign platforms.
This tactic doesn’t rely on directly targeting individuals. Instead, it uses large-scale access to platforms people already trust, effectively making everyone a potential data source.
Are you really being spied on?
For the average user, the idea of being directly targeted by a Russia spy might seem far-fetched and it usually is. Intelligence agencies typically focus on political targets, military actors, or high-value individuals like dissidents or journalists.
The rise of mass data collection means you no longer need to be a person of interest to have your digital footprint like your movements, online searches or social interactions captured and analyzed.
As we’ve seen with past figures like Russian spy lady Anna Chapman, who operated undercover in the U.S. before being exposed, Russia remains active in covert operations. But today, the “spying” is often passive, persistent, and embedded in the digital tools people use every day.
What can you do?
This isn’t a call to panic, but it is a reason to stay aware. If you want to take back control over your digital footprint, start by reviewing app permissions, using privacy-focused tools and choosing services that are transparent about where your data goes and how it’s protected.
The field of data protection and privacy is growing rapidly, but the best defense starts with personal choices: less oversharing, fewer unnecessary downloads, and more critical thinking about the platforms you engage with.
Final thoughts
So is Russia spying on you? Not necessarily in the way Hollywood might imagine. But through a mix of technology, legal leverage, and cross-border cooperation, it’s possible that your personal data is being swept up in broader intelligence strategies.
This isn’t about fearmongering. It’s about understanding that in 2025, privacy is not automatic, it’s something you have to actively protect. As data becomes more valuable than oil, awareness is your best safeguard. Also wondering how this works for China, we also wrote about that on our blog.
