Moscow: Russia has imposed restrictions on voice calls made through the WhatsApp and Telegram messaging apps, as part of a move to combat fraud, extortion, and activities they deem to be terrorism.
The decision, announced by state communications regulator Roskomnadzor, is the latest in a series of measures tightening the Kremlin’s grip on the country’s digital space.
According to Russian media monitoring agency Mediascope, the curbs will impact WhatsApp’s estimated 96 million monthly users in Russia and Telegram’s more than 89 million. While authorities said the restrictions apply to voice calls, users in multiple regions reported that video calls had also been affected.
Roskomnadzor said the move was prompted by numerous appeals from citizens and findings from law enforcement agencies that identified the two apps as the main voice services used to deceive and extort money, and to involve Russian citizens in sabotage and terrorist activities.
The watchdog accused the companies of ignoring repeated requests to take countermeasures and stated that access to calls would be restored only once they comply with Russian legislation.
WhatsApp, owned by U.S.-based Meta Platforms, criticized the move, stating that its encrypted messaging service defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people.
Telegram, founded by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov, said that it actively combats misuse of its platform, including calls for sabotage or violence, as well as fraud, and removes millions of pieces of harmful content every day. Despite these assurances, the platform has long faced accusations in Russia and other countries of not doing enough to curb illicit activity.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has significantly expanded state oversight of the Russian internet. Authorities have blocked or throttled access to foreign websites, criminalized criticism of the military, and mandated local storage of user data. Security services frequently claim that Ukrainian operatives use Telegram for recruitment and planning sabotage inside Russia.
