Russia curbs WhatsApp and Telegram calls citing fraud and ‘terrorism’ concerns

MOSCOW, Aug 14 — Russia has announced partial restrictions on calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram, citing the need to combat criminal activities, state media reported Wednesday.

“To fight criminal activity, measures are being implemented to partially limit calls on these foreign messaging platforms (WhatsApp and Telegram),” communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said, as quoted by RIA and TASS. The agency claimed the apps have become “the main voice services for fraud, extortion, and recruiting Russian citizens for subversive and terrorist activities.”

Russian security services have repeatedly alleged that Ukraine uses Telegram to recruit individuals or carry out acts of sabotage inside Russia. Authorities have demanded that the platforms provide data access upon law enforcement requests, not only for fraud investigations but also for cases classified as terrorism-related.

“Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored once they comply with Russian legislation,” the digital ministry stated.

Telegram told AFP it “actively combats misuse of its platform, including calls for sabotage or violence, as well as fraud,” and removes “millions of harmful pieces of content daily.”

Meta-owned WhatsApp, in response, stressed that its service is private, end-to-end encrypted, and resists government attempts to compromise secure communication — a stance it says explains Russia’s efforts to block it from over 100 million users in the country. The platform expressed concern that the move is intended to push users toward services more susceptible to state surveillance.

Since launching its offensive in Ukraine, Moscow has tightened controls over press freedom and online speech. — AFP