Russia has accused the popular messaging apps, WhatsApp and Telegram, of facilitating crime and sabotage as the country tightens its control over the internet amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The restrictions, announced by Moscow, will limit voice calls on the platforms within Russia, affecting over 175 million users, according to local media reports.
The measures come as part of Russian authorities’ efforts to combat criminal activities, including fraud, sabotage, and terrorism. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media and internet regulator, has cited the apps’ failure to abide by requests for user data access from law enforcement agencies as the reason behind this decision. Moscow is seeking compliance with its legislation to restore access to voice calls.
WhatsApp and Telegram have reacted to the accusations, with WhatsApp stating that it resists government attempts to infringe on users’ secure communication rights. Telegram, for its part, emphasizes its active efforts to tackle misuse of its platform by removing harmful content daily.
These developments come in the context of Russia’s broader strategy to exert greater control over its internet domain, an endeavor that started intensifying with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Russian government has also introduced laws criminalizing the search for content deemed illicit by authorities and has plans to replace international messaging platforms with a domestic app called Max. These actions have raised concerns about potential access to user data by the authorities.
Telegram, created by Russian tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov, faces ongoing criticism in various countries, including Russia, regarding its handling of criminal activities on its platform. Despite these accusations, the app continues to assert its commitment to fighting misuse, including calls for sabotage or violence and fraudulent activities.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/14/russia-restricts-calls-on-whatsapp-telegram-as-internet-control-tightens?traffic_source=rss
