Russia has begun restricting voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, accusing the foreign-owned messaging platforms of failing to cooperate with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism investigations, the country’s digital development ministry said on Wednesday.
The move marks the latest escalation in Moscow’s long-running tensions with global tech companies over content regulation and data storage. The dispute has sharpened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with critics accusing the Kremlin of seeking greater control over the domestic internet space.
Digital Sovereignty
President Vladimir Putin has already authorised the creation of a state-backed messaging app linked to government services, part of a broader push for “digital sovereignty” aimed at reducing reliance on foreign platforms.
“In order to counteract criminals… measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messengers,” communications regulator Roskomnadzor told Interfax. “No other restrictions have been imposed on their functionality.”
Reuters reporters confirmed the curbs, noting that Telegram voice calls have barely worked since August 11, while WhatsApp calls suffer from distorted audio and intermittent outages.
The ministry said the restrictions would be lifted if the companies complied with Russian law, which includes opening legal entities in the country, fully cooperating with Roskomnadzor and law enforcement, and removing prohibited content.
“Extremist Organisation”
Telegram told Russia’s RBC daily it was actively blocking calls for violence and fraud, deploying AI tools to detect and remove millions of malicious messages daily. WhatsApp parent Meta Platforms, labelled an “extremist organisation” by Moscow in 2022, did not respond to requests for comment.
Although WhatsApp has so far avoided an outright ban, lawmakers have warned the service could be forced to exit the Russian market. Critics fear the proposed domestic alternative will allow authorities to monitor users’ activities more closely, while also throttling competing platforms to drive migration.
A recent Human Rights Watch report warned that Russia is expanding its technological capabilities to block, slow, and censor online content, including tools designed to bypass such restrictions.
(With inputs from Reuters)