Russia has announced partial restrictions on voice calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram, citing the need to combat criminal activity, state media reported on Wednesday.
According to communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, the curbs are intended to tackle the use of these foreign messenger apps for fraud, extortion, and what Moscow describes as subversive and terrorist activities.
“In order to combat criminals, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messaging apps,” the agency said, adding that WhatsApp and Telegram have become “the main voice services” for such activities.
Russian security services have long accused Ukraine of using Telegram to recruit individuals and carry out sabotage within Russian territory. Authorities want the platforms to provide law enforcement with access to data—not only for fraud investigations, but also for cases deemed related to terrorism.
“Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored after they start complying with Russian legislation,” the country’s digital ministry stated.
Telegram, in a statement to AFP, said it “actively combats misuse of its platform” and removes “millions of pieces of harmful content every day,” while Meta-owned WhatsApp emphasised its end-to-end encryption and accused Russia of attempting to force users onto more surveillance-prone platforms.
More than 100 million Russians rely on WhatsApp for daily communication. Since the start of its military offensive in Ukraine, Moscow has tightened controls on online speech and independent media, drawing criticism from human rights advocates.
