Russia has announced plans to restrict calls on WhatsApp and Telegram on Wednesday, two of the country’s most popular messaging services, unless the apps give law enforcement full access to user data.
Telegram, a social media platform developed by Russian-born tech mogul Pavel Durov, is widely used across Eastern Europe, including in Russia, while WhatsApp remains the messenger of choice in the country.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications watchdog, justified the move on security grounds, claiming that the apps are used “for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.”
According to AFP, citing Russian state media, Roskomnadzor said, “In order to combat criminals, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messaging apps.”
Roskomnadzor went on to call the apps “the main voice services used for fraud and extortion, and for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.”
Ironically, Kyiv has accused Russian intelligence of recruiting civilians to carry out terrorist bombings via Telegram.
Roskomnadzor claimed other functionalities of the apps are not affected, with Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development adding that the call functions will be restored once they comply with Russian legislation, hinting at the government’s demand for full access.
The restriction comes as the Russian government promotes a new messaging app, Max, which the state-run Naftogaz indirectly owns via a subsidiary, VK.
Unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, which encrypt calls and messages to protect users’ privacy, Russian security services are expected to be able to access information shared through Max, which is currently in beta testing.
The Russian government has been steadily restricting its citizens’ online access since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Facebook and Instagram, owned by WhatsApp’s parent company Meta, were banned in March 2022, according to a report by The Guardian.
On July 21, Russia’s State Duma passed a law introducing greater penalties for searching for “extremist material” online, especially with the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This has made it even more dangerous for Russian citizens to access content critical of the Russian government and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Residents of the occupied territories of Ukraine face even greater restrictions. On Aug. 6, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZRU) warned that Russian authorities are planning a complete shutdown of mobile internet in occupied Crimea.
Ukraine has also considered banning Telegram over concerns about Russian disinformation and information leaks. The move was partially implemented in late 2024 for work devices used by military personnel and civil servants, and later extended to lawmakers.