Russia limits voice calls in messaging apps, Meta pushes back

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technologies, and Mass Communications, has announced a partial restriction on voice calls in Telegram and WhatsApp, citing complaints from law enforcement agencies and citizens, Interfax reports.

According to the agency, these messaging services have allegedly become major channels for fraud, extortion, and the recruitment of Russians for sabotage or terrorist activities. Requests for the platforms’ owners to enhance security measures were reportedly ignored.

The restrictions apply only to voice calls. “To counter criminals, in accordance with materials from law enforcement agencies, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls in these foreign messengers. No other limitations on their functionality have been introduced,” Roskomnadzor told journalists.

The agency added that since 2024, Russia has used the “Anti-Fraud” system to block fake telephone numbers. However, after its launch, fraudulent activity allegedly shifted to foreign messaging apps, which Roskomnadzor says do not provide adequate user protection.

WhatsApp's response

Meta sharply criticized Roskomnadzor’s decision on its official WhatsApp page on X, accusing Russian authorities of attempting to limit people’s right to secure communication.

“WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people,” the company stated.

“We will keep doing all we can to make end-to-end encrypted communication available to people everywhere, including in Russia,” WhatsApp’s press service added.

• The day before, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reported that Russia plans to block calls in WhatsApp and Telegram and restrict access to 5G.