Russia announced Tuesday it would implement “progressive restrictions” on the messaging app Telegram, accusing the platform of failing to adequately combat the utilize of its services for “criminal or terrorist purposes.” The move, detailed by the Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor, marks a significant escalation in Moscow’s efforts to control the digital sphere and comes as the government increasingly pressures citizens to migrate to domestically-controlled messaging applications.
Roskomnadzor stated that Telegram had not taken “real measures” to counter fraud, criminal activity, and terrorism facilitated through the platform. The agency indicated it would continue to impose restrictions until Telegram complies with Russian law and ensures the “protection of citizens.”
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur who also holds French citizenship, denounced the restrictions as an attack on “freedom of citizens” and an attempt to force Russians onto a state-controlled application designed for surveillance and political censorship. Durov made the statement directly on Telegram, according to reports.
The announcement follows a pattern of increasing control over online communication in Russia. Earlier this year, access to WhatsApp was largely disrupted, and completely blocked in January, for similar alleged violations. In the summer of 2023, Russia prohibited voice calls on both Telegram and WhatsApp, as part of a broader crackdown on foreign-owned social networks.
The restrictions on Telegram also arrive amid concerns about the use of messaging apps for recruitment by Ukrainian security services, with Russian authorities alleging that individuals are being enticed to commit acts of sabotage within Russia in exchange for financial compensation.
In late July 2023, President Vladimir Putin signed legislation criminalizing searches for “extremist” content online and banning the promotion of VPNs, which are widely used in Russia to circumvent censorship. YouTube has been largely inaccessible in Russia without a VPN since 2024, and Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, which has been designated an “extremist” organization in Russia, have been blocked since 2022.
Roskomnadzor stated it remains open to collaboration with internet services, both domestic and foreign, “on the simple condition” of respecting Russian law and its citizens. As of Tuesday evening, Telegram remained accessible in Russia, though users reported intermittent disruptions. The agency did not specify the nature or timeline of the “progressive restrictions” it intends to implement.
