Russia has begun limiting voice calls carried out through WhatsApp and Telegram, a measure that the authorities justify to curb the increase in scams, extortion and activities that they consider a risk to security. The change is already noticeable among users reporting failures and outages, especially since the weekend before the announcement.
Regulator Roskomnadzor maintains that only calls are restricted while the rest of the functions (messages, files, channels) remain available. Full access to voice will be restored if platforms comply with the requirements of Russian legislation, as explained by the Ministry of Digital Development.
What changes for users
The measure affects exclusively the VoIP calling function. of both applications: in some cases it is impossible to initiate communication and in others the quality plummets with cuts and metallic noises. Text messages, voice notes, stickers or video clips are not affected.
International media have noted incidents: reporters observed that on Telegram Calls have barely been connecting since August 11th and that on WhatsApp were impracticable due to power outages and a constant buzzing noise. Complaints began to multiply on social media and support forums over the weekend.
Authorities recall that Russia implemented an anti-fraud system in 2024. which blocks number spoofing on traditional telephone networks. After this closure, a large part of the criminals would have shifted their voice operations to messengers, which would explain the increased use of the call channel for scams and extortion.
Some users raise the issue of using VPN, but the Russian ecosystem has also developed mechanisms to limit these tools, with periodic crashes and slowdowns, so its effectiveness may vary and is not guaranteed.
Government arguments and demands on the platforms
Roskomnadzor claims that WhatsApp and Telegram have become priority channels for deception, extortion, and, according to security services, to involve citizens in sabotage or terrorist activities. In parallel, authorities have repeatedly pointed to Telegram as a tool where operate recruitment networks for clandestine actions.
To reverse the restriction, the Government requires companies to establish legal entities in Russia, provide access to data when requested by law enforcement, and cooperate with the regulator in enforcing local law. Only then calls would be restored, the authorities insist.
Official data point to an increase in crime: the Ministry of the Interior estimates more than 448.000 victims of fraud in 2024, with damages exceeding 200.000 billion rubles (around $2.000 billion). In addition, a legislator highlighted that attacks on WhatsApp users multiplied by 3,5 2024 since.
In this context, Moscow declared Meta a extremist organization In 2022, WhatsApp continued to operate due to widespread use. However, the service has received sanctions for failing to remove content deemed prohibited by the Russian regulator.
Response of platforms and the digital ecosystem in Russia
In the first hours after the announcement, neither Meta (owner of WhatsApp) nor Telegram offered detailed public comments. Telegram, in statements to local media, maintained that it actively combats calls for violence and fraud, and that its moderators supported AI tools They delete millions of malicious messages in public spaces every day.
The background is a years-long struggle between Russia and large technology companies over content, storage and access to data, a dynamic that intensified after 2022. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch denounce a increasing state capacity to block or limit websites and anti-censorship tools, as well as the possibility of slowing down foreign services to push migration towards national alternatives.
In parallel, the Kremlin is promoting the so-called “digital sovereignty”, which includes the development of MAX, a domestic messaging app with integrated public services and payments. The app, linked to the VK group, exceeds two million records and its terms contemplate sharing data with authorities upon request; furthermore, a regulation provides for its pre-installation on new smartphones.
From the Duma, voices like that of deputy Anton Gorelkin have warned that WhatsApp should prepare to exit the market if it does not comply with regulations, and another legislator has described its presence as a risk to national security.
The user base reflects the significance of the change: in July, WhatsApp was around 96 million of monthly users in Russia and Telegram about 89 millionThis isn't the first friction: the attempt to block Telegram between 2018 and 2020 did not prosper and finally stood up.
What to expect in the short term
Users will continue to notice intermittent or total limitations on calls while the rest of the functions remain available. Companies that depend on voice messaging may have to resort to temporary alternatives in traditional telephony or in other communication solutions.
The lifting of the partial blockade will depend on the platforms meet the conditions raised by the Government, something that - if it happens - would allow the voice to be reestablished. If there is no agreement, the Obstacles could be prolonged and be expanded with additional technical measures.
Extreme caution is recommended possible fraud attempts through other channels, verify identities and avoid sharing sensitive data through messages. Authorities encourage the use of local services aligned with your security requirements.
This move is part of a broader strategy of control of the digital ecosystem and regulatory confrontation with foreign technology companies, where security, privacy, and competition for the attention of millions of users intersect.
Users face a changing scenario in which cooperation or lack thereof will determine whether calls return to normal, in a context where security motivations, legal requirements, and the push for national alternatives converge to define the future of communication in Russia.
