Russia Restricts WhatsApp, Telegram Calls Over Crime and Security Concerns

The Russian government has imposed new restrictions on voice calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram, citing concerns over criminal activity and national security, according to state media reports on Wednesday.

The country’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, announced that “measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messaging apps” as part of efforts to “combat criminals.”

Pavel Durov – Telegram founder

According to Roskomnadzor, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have become “the main voice services used for fraud and extortion, and for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.”

The move aligns with long-standing concerns from Russian security services, which have repeatedly accused Ukraine of using Telegram to recruit operatives and conduct sabotage inside Russia.

Authorities have been pushing for greater access to user data from messaging platforms, not only to combat fraud but also to investigate activities it classifies as terrorism.

“Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored after they start complying with Russian legislation,” the country’s Digital Development Ministry said.

In response, Telegram told AFP it “actively combats misuse of its platform, including calls for sabotage or violence, as well as fraud,” adding that it removes “millions of pieces of harmful content every day.”

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, also pushed back against the restrictions. A spokesperson told AFP: “WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people.”

The spokesperson also warned that the move may be an attempt to push users toward platforms more vulnerable to government surveillance.

The restrictions are the latest in a series of steps Moscow has taken to tighten control over online speech and communication since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as freedom of the press and digital rights continue to face severe limitations within the country.