Moscow — August 12, 2025
Russian authorities are preparing to block voice and video calls in popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram, in what officials frame as a new step in counterterrorism measures. Text messaging and channels will remain available, but industry insiders warn that the move could sharply restrict how millions of Russians communicate.
The plan was first reported by Ostorozhno Media, which said the decision had been approved “at the highest level” and would be finalized after consultations with mobile operators. According to the outlet’s telecom sources, even users with foreign SIM cards may not be able to bypass the blocks because Russia’s technical threat prevention systems (TSPU) can filter and disrupt VoIP traffic regardless of origin.
Independent coverage from The Moscow Times has documented intermittent disruptions to app-based calling since early August and noted that operators have cited a mix of security and infrastructure concerns. International wires including Reuters have previously reported on expanding surveillance requirements for telecoms that increase the state’s visibility into communications.
Criticism from Digital-Rights Advocates
Digital-rights groups warn that cutting off encrypted VoIP narrows already-shrinking space for private speech online. Human Rights Watch has described Russia’s recent internet controls as a “death by a thousand cuts,” replacing open platforms with a “piecemeal” network under tighter state control. Russian NGO Roskomsvoboda argues a VoIP ban would further isolate users and push them toward less secure channels.
Push for a State-Backed Alternative
In parallel, lawmakers have promoted a domestically developed messenger—often referred to in Russian media as a government-supported alternative—to reduce reliance on foreign platforms. Reporting by Reuters and analysis in The Moscow Times note that the initiative is part of a broader “sovereign internet” strategy that aims to localize digital services and data.
What It Means for Users and Business
For ordinary users, disabling calls in WhatsApp and Telegram would remove a primary, low-cost channel for everyday communication—especially for families split across borders. For small businesses and freelancers, app-based calling is frequently used for client support and sales; restrictions could add cost and friction to basic operations, industry sources told Ostorozhno Media.
Media-measurement firms and trade press have consistently ranked WhatsApp and Telegram among the most-used apps in Russia; independent stories in The Moscow Times describe Telegram’s rapid user growth since 2022, while WhatsApp remains deeply embedded in daily life.
Legal & Regulatory Backdrop
The prospective VoIP restrictions come alongside a tightening legal framework. Explanatory pieces in The Moscow Times have detailed draft amendments that would expand liability around access to content deemed “extremist,” while previous Reuters reports highlighted increased data-retention and interception obligations for telecoms under surveillance statutes.
