Russia to Teach Residents to Spot Deepfakes and Avoid Cyber Scams
Digital literacy is becoming as important as basic literacy in the modern world. A new concept adopted in Russia will help residents learn to use digital services effectively.
The Russian government has approved the Concept for Raising Citizens' Digital Literacy. The document aims to give residents the skills they need to use digital technologies safely and effectively in everyday life. To achieve that, Russia will establish common rules for safe behavior online and procedures for people who encounter digital crimes. Citizens will learn how to work with AI, including how to spot deepfakes, and will also be taught how to share their personal data safely.
Creating the document marks an important step toward building a broader digital culture. Earlier, the government's digital policy focused on building infrastructure and services. Now the emphasis is shifting toward residents' ability to use those services safely. The need for training becomes particularly clear because digital literacy is increasingly viewed as part of national security as well.
Reducing Online Scams
Higher levels of digital literacy are expected to reduce online fraud while helping Russians better understand the risks associated with AI and digital content.
The government identifies two groups as particularly vulnerable: older adults and teenagers. Digital literacy will be taught in schools, with children learning about online risks in computer science and life-safety classes. Older adults will receive training from mentors and volunteers.
“We expect the government's measures to combat online fraud, combined with efforts to raise citizens' digital literacy, to produce an even greater effect,” said Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Russian Government.
Skills Without Enough Security
The new document follows years of preparatory work. In 2022, the Russian government approved the Concept for a Culture of Information Security for Citizens. It already called for improving public awareness of personal data protection and increasing trust in digital services. Several years earlier, the nationwide educational project Urok tsifry (Digital Skills Lesson) was launched by Minprosveshcheniya Rossii (Ministry of Education), Mintsifry Rossii (Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media), and ANO Tsifrovaya ekonomika (Digital Economy Autonomous Nonprofit Organization). Through the project, schoolchildren learn the basics of cybersecurity, how AI works, modern IT careers and the principles behind digital services.
Since 2019, Russia has held the Tsifrovoy diktant (Digital Dictation) every year to measure the population's level of digital literacy. In 2024, participants recorded an average score of 6.65 out of 10, with more than 2 million people taking the test. In 2025, the HSE University analyzed Russians' digital skills using data from Rosstat. The study found that most Russian internet users already have the skills needed for a comfortable and productive online experience, but cannot ensure an adequate level of security for themselves. The new Concept is intended to address that gap.
Social Integration Through Digital Tools
The document could provide a foundation for expanding Russia's domestic market for educational IT services. Demand is likely to grow for digital-skills training platforms, competency-assessment tools and corporate learning solutions. Although the Concept's main initiatives will be implemented within the domestic market, Russia's experience with digital education and cyber literacy could also be useful to countries undergoing rapid digitalization.
The next step is likely to be the development of a system for assessing citizens' digital maturity, similar to existing measures of digitalization across regions and industries. Over time, such assessments could become an indicator of people's broader social integration, as access to government services, jobs and educational platforms becomes increasingly difficult without digital skills. In practice, digital literacy is becoming nearly as important as the ability to read and write and follow basic rules of spelling.
