A Targeted Ban on Calls
On August 13, 2025, Russia imposed restrictions on voice and video calls for Telegram and WhatsApp, accusing the platforms of failing to assist law enforcement in combating fraud and terrorism. The Russian digital development ministry stated that the measures, enforced by Roskomnadzor, affect only calls, leaving messaging and other functions operational. Reuters reporters confirmed that Telegram calls have been nearly unusable since August 11, while WhatsApp calls face disruptions like intermittent audio and metallic buzzing.
The restrictions stem from user complaints about call issues starting August 10, with Russian outlet Kommersant reporting that major telecom operators (MTS, Megafon, Beeline, Tele2) supported the ban to reduce network strain and curb scams. Roskomnadzor claims the apps are “primary tools for fraud and extortion” and recruitment for “sabotage and terrorist activities.”
“This isn’t just about crime—it’s Russia tightening its grip on the internet,” an analyst shared on X.
The Quest for Digital Sovereignty
The call ban aligns with Russia’s push for “digital sovereignty,” a policy intensified since the 2022 Ukraine invasion. President Vladimir Putin has greenlit MAX, a state-backed messaging app by VK, to integrate government services and reduce reliance on foreign platforms. Launched in 2024, MAX had 2.5 million users by August 2025 and will be mandatory on all smartphones sold in Russia starting 2026, per Tass. Its terms allow data sharing with authorities, sparking surveillance concerns.
Russia’s tensions with foreign tech are longstanding. A 2018–2020 attempt to block Telegram failed, and in 2022, Moscow labeled Meta, WhatsApp’s parent, an “extremist organization,” though WhatsApp continued with minor fines for not removing banned content. Lawmaker Anton Gorelkin recently warned that WhatsApp risks a full market exit, calling its presence a “security threat.”
Compliance Demands and Platform Responses
The digital ministry says restrictions will lift if Telegram and WhatsApp comply with Russian laws, including establishing local legal entities and cooperating with Roskomnadzor. Telegram told RBC it uses AI to remove millions of malicious messages daily and opposes violence or fraud. Neither Meta nor Telegram immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Critics, including Human Rights Watch, argue Russia is expanding internet control, throttling platforms to push users to MAX. A July 2025 report noted increased VPN blocking and regional internet shutdowns, disrupting tools like Ukrainian drone navigation. Posts on X suggest Russia may slow WhatsApp’s speeds to drive MAX adoption, a tactic used against Viber, blocked in December 2024.
Impact on Users and Global Trends
The restrictions affect Russia’s 96 million WhatsApp users and 89 million Telegram users, per Statista. While messaging remains functional, the call ban disrupts communication, especially in rural areas. VPNs, used to bypass restrictions, face ongoing blocks, limiting workarounds.
Globally, governments are tightening digital oversight. The UK’s Online Safety Act and U.S. Kids Online Safety Act, both effective in 2025, push platforms toward stricter compliance, often requiring data sharing. Russia’s approach prioritizes state control, with MAX raising privacy fears due to its government integration. A Moscow Times report noted MAX’s data-sharing terms could track user activities extensively.
What Lies Ahead?
The call ban may be a precursor to broader restrictions. If Telegram and WhatsApp resist compliance, full blocks could follow, as with Viber. Telecom operators cite rising costs from sanctions and traffic, adding economic pressure, per Bloomberg. Users face a choice: adapt to limited app functionality or switch to MAX, which critics call a surveillance tool.
Russia’s actions test the staying power of foreign platforms in its increasingly controlled internet. As one X post put it, “Moscow’s not just blocking calls—it’s building a digital wall.” The outcome will shape whether Telegram and WhatsApp can survive in Russia’s tightening digital landscape.
