Telegram And WhatsApp Prohibited In Russia

Russian officials have been working for a long time on a careful and multi faceted plan to control the internet.

Throughout the years, they’ve put in place strict laws and have banned websites and platforms that refuse to follow their rules.They’ve also improved technology to keep an eye on and influence online traffic.

Earlier this week, Russian media reported disruptions in calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, with users expressing frustration over calls failing to connect or being unable to hear each other.

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Russian officials declared that they are “partially” limiting calls on messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp, marking another move to strengthen their grip on the internet.

In a statement, the government media and internet regulator Roskomnadzor explained that this action is essential for combating crime.

They mentioned that, “based on information from law enforcement and many complaints from the public, foreign messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp have turned into the primary voice services used for scams and extortion, as well as for drawing Russian citizens into sabotage and terrorist acts”.

This summer, authorities tightened internet access even more by shutting down cellphone internet connections widely and passing a law that punishes users for looking up content they consider illegal.

They’ve also hinted at targeting WhatsApp – one of the top platforms in the country while launching a new “national” messaging app that’s likely to be closely monitored.

As per Mediascope, a Russian media monitoring service, WhatsApp was the leading platform in Russia in July, boasting over 96 million monthly users. Telegram followed closely behind with more than 89 million users.

Both platforms have had their encounters with Russian authorities before. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the government restricted access to major social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and labeled their parent company, Meta, which also owns WhatsApp, as extremist.

In July, lawmaker Anton Gorelkin mentioned that WhatsApp “should get ready to exit the Russian market,” and a new “national” messenger called MAX, created by the Russian social media firm VK, would take its place.

MAX is marketed as a comprehensive solution for messaging, online government services, payments, and more. It was launched for beta testing but hasn’t gained a large user base yet. By July, over 2 million users had signed up, according to the Tass news agency.

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