Russia Restricts WhatsApp, Telegram Calls

Russian authorities have begun limiting voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, tightening their control over digital communication amid efforts to bolster cybersecurity and curb foreign surveillance.

Russia’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor on Wednesday, August 13, announced it would partially restrict audio and video calls through these foreign-owned apps.

The agency claimed law enforcement received numerous reports that criminals and saboteurs use these platforms for fraud, extortion, and terrorist activity .

Despite the clampdown, text messaging remains unaffected, and officials stress that call access will resume once WhatsApp and Telegram comply with Russian laws requiring data-sharing with authorities .

Reuters confirmed that voice call features on WhatsApp became nearly unusable, while Telegram calls have “barely functioned” since August 11.

Roskomnadzor alleges both companies have ignored repeated compliance requests, prompting the block .

In a broader push for “digital sovereignty,” Russia has urged WhatsApp and Telegram to establish legal entities on its soil, allow law enforcement access, and follow domestic regulations.

Fulfilling these criteria would unlock full service again .

WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, responded by defending user privacy, stating:

“WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication…” .

Meanwhile, Telegram affirmed that it combats misuse daily and removes “millions of pieces of harmful content” via its moderation systems .

This move aligns with Russia’s expanding internet surveillance regime.

Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Moscow has blocked major Western platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and pressed VPN providers, aiming to shift users toward a state-controlled “mega-app” .

Security experts argue that digital sovereignty efforts risk eroding public privacy.

Human Rights Watch highlighted Russia’s growing online censorship and surveillance infrastructure, noting that many citizens cannot bypass restrictions due to limited VPN knowledge .

Users in Russia, numbering over 100 million for WhatsApp and nearly 90 million for Telegram, now face voice call disruptions that critics say could push them toward domestic alternatives controlled by the state .

While policymakers promote these measures as crime-fighting tools, critics see them as a strategic step toward state-controlled digital isolation.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook