Russia WhatsApp Telegram restrictions imposed to fight crime, critics warn of censorship and increased government surveillance

Russia WhatsApp Telegram restrictions have been announced by Moscow’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, citing the need to combat criminal activity and terrorism.

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State media RIA and TASS quoted officials saying that calls on the two foreign messaging apps are being “partially restricted” because they have become “the main voice services used for fraud, extortion, and for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.”

Russian authorities want the platforms to provide access to user data upon law enforcement requests, not only for fraud investigations but also for cases Moscow defines as terrorism.

The digital ministry stated that call access would be restored once the apps comply with Russian legislation.

Telegram responded in a statement to AFP, saying it actively removes “millions of pieces of harmful content every day” and combats misuse, including calls for sabotage or violence.

Meta-owned WhatsApp defended its end-to-end encryption, accusing Moscow of attempting to block private communication for over 100 million Russian users.

Since the start of its military offensive in Ukraine, Russia has sharply curtailed press freedom and tightened online speech controls. Critics warn that the move could be an attempt to push users toward platforms more vulnerable to government surveillance.

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With WhatsApp and Telegram being essential tools for personal communication in Russia, the restrictions have sparked fears among users and human rights advocates alike about the future of secure messaging in the country.