14 Aug 2025, 10:45
Russia has restricted calls in WhatsApp and Telegram to control the internet
- Russia has restricted calls in WhatsApp and Telegram.
- The restrictions are justified by the fight against crime.
- Users report problems with video calls.
Russia has introduced restrictions on voice calls in the apps WhatsApp and Telegram, which is part of a broader strategy by Moscow to tighten control over the internet. According to Mediascope data, WhatsApp has approximately 96 million users in Russia, while Telegram has about 89 million.
The Russian government justified these measures as necessary for combating crime, stating that these messaging apps have become the main channels for fraud and terrorist activities. Authorities demand that these services provide access to user data upon request from law enforcement agencies.
Although the restrictions were announced only for voice calls, users have also reported problems with video calls. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been expanding its control over the internet space.
In addition, a law was recently passed that punishes users for searching for banned content. It is planned that popular messaging apps will be replaced by a foreign app Max, which allows the government access to data.
A representative of WhatsApp stated that the encrypted messenger "supervises the government to violate people's rights to secure communication". Telegram also noted that it actively combats abuse on its platform.
Tags: Russia/Politics/Technology