MWE Correspondent
Russia has moved to restrict voice and video calls on two of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms in what experts see as another step toward tightening state control over the country’s internet
The announcement, made this week by Roskomnadzor—Russia’s media and telecommunications regulatoraffects millions of users across the nation. The watchdog said the move was aimed at combating fraud, extortion, and activities it described as linked to sabotage and terrorism. According to official estimates, one of the platforms has over 96 million monthly users in Russia, while the other has more than 89 million
In a statement, Roskomnadzor claimed these calling features had become “key tools” for criminals, alleging that repeated requests for cooperation from the platforms had gone unanswered. Text-based messaging, however, remains unaffected.
Official Demands and Compliance
Authorities indicated that the restrictions could be lifted if the companies agreed to meet Russian legal requirements, which include setting up a local office and providing law enforcement with access to data when requested Such demands have been at the center of Russia’s broader digital sovereignty push, which aims to ensure that online services operate under domestic oversight.
One of the affected platforms—owned by a major US-based technology firm condemned the measure, calling it an attack on secure communication. It stressed that its end-to-end encryption is designed to protect users’ privacy and warned that such restrictions might drive people toward less secure services.
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The other platform, founded by a Russian-born entrepreneur, defended its record, stating it uses AI-based moderation to combat illegal content and is willing to coordinate with authorities to address specific threats.
Analysts say the move fits into a pattern of tightening online control that has accelerated since 2022, when Russia restricted or banned several major foreign platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Officials have also been promoting a state-backed domestic messaging app integrated with government services—though adoption remains limited.
Critics argue that such policies erode digital freedoms and align Russia’s approach with other states that maintain centralized control over internet infrastructure upporters, however, claim the restrictions are necessary to protect citizens and national security.
The developments have sparked renewed global debate over the balance between privacy, security, and state control—a discussion unlikely to end soon as governments worldwide grapple with the growing power of encrypted communication.
