Russia Restricts and Slows Telegram Access
▼ Summary
– Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, is moving to slow down and restrict access to Telegram for users in Russia.
– Roskomnadzor claims these restrictions are due to Telegram’s inadequate steps to prevent fraud and criminal activity.
– Users in Moscow have confirmed experiencing service issues, impacting communication with friends and family who rely on the app.
– This follows previous partial blocks on calls in Telegram and WhatsApp, which Russia linked to extortion and terrorist activities.
– Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, has not commented on these disruptions but recently criticized European leaders online.
Telegram users across Russia are encountering significant service disruptions and slowdowns as the country’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, implements new restrictions on the popular messaging platform. The move, confirmed by Russian media, signals an escalation in the state’s efforts to control digital communication channels. According to translated statements, the regulator asserts that Telegram has failed to implement sufficient measures to combat fraudulent schemes and other criminal activities on its network, prompting a policy of “successive restrictions.”
Reports from users in Moscow corroborate the growing problems, with many experiencing lag, failed connections, and inconsistent access. One resident, Anna, expressed widespread concern, noting that the app is her primary means of staying in touch with loved ones. “It’s very bad because all my friends and family use Telegram,” she said. “I don’t know how I’m going to communicate with them because I don’t want to move to other platforms.” This sentiment highlights the platform’s deep integration into daily life for millions of Russians.
This latest action follows a pattern of increasing pressure on foreign messaging services. Just last August, Roskomnadzor initiated a “partial” blocking of voice calls on both Telegram and WhatsApp, alleging their use in extortion plots and activities linked to terrorism. That same period saw the Russian government mandate that smartphone and tablet makers pre-install the state-supported Max messaging app on all new devices sold within the country, a clear push to promote domestic alternatives.
The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, who was born in Russia, has not issued a public statement regarding the current restrictions. His most recent social media commentary, however, targeted political leaders in Europe. In a February post, Durov criticized figures like France’s Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that officials with poor public approval ratings are often the most vocal proponents of regulating online content and restricting youth access to social media. Durov himself faced legal challenges in France last year related to accusations of inadequate content moderation on his platform. The ongoing situation in Russia places Telegram at the center of a broader struggle between digital autonomy and state control.
(Source: The Verge)
