Russian authorities have moved to restrict voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, a step they say is aimed at combating fraud and curbing security threats as the war in Ukraine continues.
The ban could disrupt services for WhatsApp’s roughly 96 million monthly users and Telegram’s more than 89 million users in the country, figures from media research group Mediascope suggest.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state communications and internet watchdog, announced on Wednesday that the decision followed appeals from both law enforcement and citizens.
“According to law enforcement agencies and numerous appeals from citizens, foreign messengers Telegram and WhatsApp have become the main voice services used to deceive and extort money, and to involve Russian citizens in sabotage and terrorist activities,” the regulator said. “Repeated requests to take countermeasures have been ignored by the owners of the messengers.”
The agency added that the restrictions would stay in place until the platforms comply with local regulations: “Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored after they start complying with Russian legislation.”
While officials insisted that only voice calls are affected, some users reported video calls being blocked as well.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has steadily tightened control over the digital space, frequently accusing Kyiv of using Telegram to recruit operatives and coordinate sabotage within Russia.
In July, lawmakers approved penalties for searching or accessing online material deemed illegal, and the government has been pushing a domestic messaging service called Max, which critics warn could give the state greater surveillance capabilities.
Reacting on Instagram, WhatsApp stated: “Our statement on the news about the Russian government’s attempt to block WhatsApp: WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and 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. We will keep doing all we can to make end-to-end encrypted communication available to people everywhere, including in Russia.”
Telegram, in a comment to AFP, said it “actively combats misuse of its platform, including calls for sabotage or violence, as well as fraud,” noting that it deletes “millions of pieces of harmful content every day.”
