Russia Regulates WhatsApp, Telegram Calls Over Security Claims

Russia’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has announced partial restrictions on voice calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram, citing the need to combat criminal activity.

State media reported on Wednesday that the agency described the two foreign-owned apps as the “main voice services used for fraud and extortion, and for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.”

Russian security services have previously alleged that Ukraine uses Telegram to recruit people and carry out sabotage within Russia.

Officials say the restrictions will remain until the platforms comply with demands to provide data access for law enforcement, not only in fraud cases but also in investigations into what Moscow calls terrorist activities.

Russia’s digital ministry confirmed that call access would be restored once the apps meet the country’s legal requirements.

In a statement to AFP, Telegram said it “actively combats misuse of its platform… and removes millions of pieces of harmful content every day.” WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, stressed that the platform is “private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication,” adding that the move could force over 100 million Russian users onto less secure services.

Since the start of its military offensive in Ukraine, Russia has significantly tightened restrictions on press freedom and online speech.

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