Russia restricts Telegram, WhatsApp calls citing violation of legal regulations

Accusing Telegram and WhatsApp of failing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases, the digital development ministry of Russia said that the company is starting to restrict these foreign-owned platforms.

Russia has clashed with foreign tech platforms for several years over content and data storage in a simmering dispute that intensified after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Critics are of the view that Russia is trying to expand its control over the country's internet space.

President Vladimir Putin has authorised the development of a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, with Moscow seeking to establish what it calls digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services and reducing its dependence on foreign-owned platforms.

"In order to counteract criminals... measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messengers," the Interfax news agency quoted communications regulator Roskomnadzor as saying. "No other restrictions have been imposed on their functionality."

Telegram, responding to Russia's RBC daily, said it was resisting calls for violence and fraud on its platform and that moderators were using AI tools to monitor public parts of the platform to remove millions of malicious messages every day.

Reuters reporters verified the restrictions, noting that voice calls on Telegram had barely functioned since August 11 and that WhatsApp calls had been rendered impossible due to intermittent sound and a metallic buzzing.