WhatsApp has accused Moscow of trying to block millions of Russians from accessing secure communication after the Kremlin restricted calls on the popular messaging app, intensifying its push to promote state-backed platforms and tighten control over the country’s online space.
Russian authorities confirmed on Wednesday that they had begun limiting certain WhatsApp and Telegram calls, citing the platforms’ failure to share information with law enforcement in cases involving fraud and terrorism. Text messaging and voice notes on both apps remain unaffected.
In a statement, WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, said: “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 pledged to keep encrypted services available in the country.
Telegram, which has a strong presence in Russia, said it actively combats harmful content, including fraud and calls for violence, with moderators using AI tools to remove millions of malicious messages daily.
According to Mediascope data for July 2025, WhatsApp had a monthly reach of 97.3 million people in Russia, compared with 90.8 million for Telegram. VK Messenger, a platform from state-controlled tech firm VK, ranked third with 17.9 million users in the country of over 140 million people.
The restrictions have led to a surge in connectivity complaints. Monitoring sites Downdetector and Sboy reported a spike in user issues, while in the southern Krasnodar region, local media noted mobile network disruptions. A public Telegram forum for local taxi drivers was flooded with complaints about failed online navigation services, prompting advice to download offline maps.
The move comes as the government promotes a new state-controlled messaging app, MAX, which will integrate with official services. Critics warn it could enable extensive tracking of users’ activities. Senior politicians are migrating to MAX, urging followers to do the same, while digital rights groups say the ultimate goal is to control both users and the information they consume.
Analysts note the tactic of gradual service degradation is not new, pointing to slowed YouTube speeds as a previous example. Human Rights Watch recently warned that Russia is “meticulously expanding its legal and technological tools” to isolate and control its segment of the internet.
A newly approved law could further restrict digital freedoms, imposing fines on Russians who search for content deemed “extremist,” even when using virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent censorship.
Melissa Enoch
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