Russia mulls WhatsApp and Telegram call bans, 5G limits

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reported the information.

Major Russian mobile operators are asking the authorities to ban voice calls in foreign messengers, citing rising costs, equipment shortages, and network congestion, and warning of possible internet slowdowns without such restrictions. They believe the ban will force users to return to regular calls and ensure stable profits.

At the same time, initiatives are being discussed to block calls from foreign SIM cards, record conversations, label calls from abroad, and impose requirements on 5G operators to provide security services with access to data.

Plans also include building ground stations to intercept foreign satellite signals, introducing “children’s” SIM cards with content filtering, and possibly banning social media for teenagers under 14.

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service, disruptions to voice and video calls in Telegram and WhatsApp are part of testing the blocking, and a 12–15% increase in SMS traffic in June and July, for the first time in a decade, is linked to frequent mobile internet outages.

• Earlier, intelligence warned that Russia is preparing the temporarily occupied territories for a complete internet shutdown.