Russia Cracks Down on Telegram: Protests Rise Despite Restrictions
Authorities in Perm, Russia, cited a “potential emergency situation” at a rally site just two hours before a planned demonstration against internet censorship was set to begin on March 15, effectively blocking the event. The move is the latest in a series of actions by Russian officials to suppress protests over restrictions on the popular messaging app Telegram, with similar justifications – ranging from tree inspections to lingering COVID-19 concerns – offered in nearly a dozen regions across the country in recent weeks.
While many planned demonstrations were successfully prevented, the underlying discontent persists, fueled by a broader crackdown on online freedoms and a growing sense of frustration with the Kremlin’s control over information. Activists have responded by scaling back protests, pursuing legal challenges, and organizing smaller, indoor gatherings, mindful of the risks associated with unauthorized demonstrations in a climate of increasing political repression.
The restrictions on Telegram, which began escalating in February with “gradual restrictions” imposed by Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulator, are slated to become a full block in April, according to Russian media reports. This latest move comes after a previous, lengthy block of the app between April 2018 and June 2020. The current crackdown is linked to Telegram’s failure to comply with the Yarovaya law, which requires messaging services to store encryption keys and provide them to Russian security services upon request. Telegram management maintains that this requirement is technically impossible, as keys for “secret chats” are stored on users’ devices.
The suppression of dissent isn’t limited to Telegram protests. In Novosibirsk, activists found a planned rally site marked off with tape for a “tree inspection,” leading to the detention of 16 people. In Altai, regional officials dismissed claims of an internet clampdown as “at odds with reality,” denying a permit for a pro-Telegram rally. Communist Party activists managed to hold small pickets in Naryan-Mar and Syktyvkar, displaying placards proclaiming, “The internet is not a prison.”
The issue has even drawn criticism from unexpected corners. Members of the ultranationalist, pro-war group “Other Russia” staged protests at Roskomnadzor offices in Moscow, and St. Petersburg, blocking entrances and displaying banners criticizing the agency. Participants were arrested, with some facing criminal charges.
Telegram’s popularity in Russia is significant, with 93.6 million monthly users – 76% of the population – accessing the app as of December 2025, according to monitoring group Mediascope. Its widespread use extends beyond private citizens, with government agencies, pro-Kremlin commentators, and military bloggers all utilizing the platform. This reliance by pro-government actors complicates the rationale for the restrictions.
The government is actively promoting MAX, a domestically developed messaging app, as an alternative to Telegram. Critics allege that MAX is designed for state surveillance. However, even some within the military establishment have voiced concerns about restricting Telegram, arguing it is a vital communication tool for troops in Ukraine and for crowdfunding efforts supporting the war effort. During a meeting with Vladimir Putin on International Women’s Day, a servicewoman labeled Telegram an “adversarial communications tool,” a sentiment echoed by Putin, who warned of the dangers of using communications systems “not under our control.”
Despite the crackdown, legal challenges are underway. In Kaluga, a lawsuit has been filed against Roskomnadzor and other government officials, arguing that restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp violate free speech and privacy rights. The initial court ruling sided with the authorities, but the plaintiffs are appealing, with plans to take the case to the Supreme Court. Activist Anton Isakov in Tomsk has successfully organized authorized demonstrations against the blocking of Roblox and animal cruelty, suggesting a willingness by authorities to allow protests on issues deemed less politically sensitive.
Activist Roman Malozyomov, detained in Novosibirsk, continued his protest with a one-man picket after his release, holding a sign proclaiming his desire to “stay connected” with the Roskomnadzor logo crossed out. Further rallies are planned for March 29 in several regions, though their authorization remains uncertain.