Russia Restricts WhatsApp, Telegram Calls Over Security Concerns

Russia has announced partial restrictions on voice calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, citing the need to curb criminal activities and protect national security.

“In order to combat criminals, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messaging apps (WhatsApp and Telegram),” the communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said, as quoted by state media. The agency claimed the platforms had become “the main voice services used for fraud and extortion, and for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.”

Russian authorities have repeatedly alleged that Ukraine uses Telegram to recruit operatives and carry out acts of sabotage inside Russia. Officials say they want the platforms to grant law enforcement access to data not only for fraud investigations but also for cases linked to what Moscow describes as terrorism.

“Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored after they start complying with Russian legislation,” Russia’s digital ministry stated.

Telegram responded by stressing that it “actively combats misuse of its platform, including calls for sabotage or violence, as well as fraud” and that it removes “millions of pieces of harmful content every day.”

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, also pushed back, saying: “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 company noted that WhatsApp is used by more than 100 million people in Russia for calls and messages, warning that the move could push users toward less secure platforms vulnerable to state surveillance.

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