The Russian administration announced that it is partially limited to call services on Telegram and WhatsApp. This step is part of Russia’s long strategy to strengthen the internet control. Government media and internet regulator Roskomnadzor described this action as necessary to deal with crime.
Restriction in the name of crime prevention
Roskomnadzor claims that on the basis of complaints received from law enforcement agencies and citizens, it has been found that foreign messaging app Telegram and WhatsApp are being used to involve Russian citizens in fraud, money, sabotage and terrorist activities. The agency alleges that the owners of these platforms were asked to take strict steps several times but ignored. At present, there has been no response from both companies.
Increasing government control on internet
In the last few years, Russia has taken several steps to strengthen the Internet. Implementing strict laws, blocking non-non-accessing websites and platforms and developing advanced techniques for monitoring and control of online traffic. Although people can cross these restrictions through VPN, but these services are also often banned.
Recent steps and new laws
In this summer, the administration shutdown on a large scale in mobile internet services and passed a new law under which users can be punished for searching for illegal content. Also, action on WhatsApp was warned and a new national messaging app was launched which is likely to run under strict government monitoring. Since last week, there were reports in the Russian media that there is a problem in calling Whatsapp and Telegram, the call is not being connected or the voice is not coming clear.
Users of WhatsApp and Telegram in Russia
According to Media Monitoring Services Mediacpe, WhatsApp was the most popular platform in Russia in July with more than 9.6 million monthly users. Telegram stood second with around 8.9 million users. Telegram has been the target of Russian administration before. An attempt was made to block it from 2018 to 2020 but found failure. After a full -scale attack on Ukraine in 2022, Russia banned Facebook and Instagram and declared his parent company Meta who owns WhatsApp as extremist.
Russia’s new Max Messenger
Max is being described as a platform in which there will be a facility of government services and payments along with messaging. Till July, more than 2 million users were registered in it but popularity is still limited. Its conditions states that the user data will be given to the authorities if needed and under a new law it will be necessary to install it in advance in every smartphone sold in Russia. Government institutions, officials and business sectors are being encouraged to shift their blogs and communications to this platform.
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