The Kremlin is promoting a state-backed messaging app as part of its “digital sovereignty” push, sparking surveillance concerns.
Russia has begun restricting voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, accusing the platforms of failing to comply with domestic legislation, which includes requirements to assist law enforcement in fraud and terrorism investigations.
Reporters have noted that Telegram voice calls have “barely functioned” since August 11, while WhatsApp calls are largely unusable due to sound distortion and metallic buzzing. Text messaging and other app functions remain unaffected, at least for now.
“In order to counteract criminals… measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messengers,” the communications regulator Roskomnadzor told the Interfax news agency. “No other restrictions have been imposed on their functionality.”
Moscow’s push for ‘digital sovereignty’
The restrictions are the latest developments in a long-running clash between Moscow and foreign tech companies, a turbulent relationship that has soured after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has since tightened controls over the country’s internet infrastructure, compelling global platforms to store data locally, remove content deemed illegal, and open legal entities within Russia.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the lower house of parliament’s information technology committee, said the call ban could be lifted if Telegram and WhatsApp open offices in Russia, comply unconditionally with Russian laws, and cooperate with law enforcement.
President Vladimir Putin has also authorized the development of a state-backed messaging platform integrated with government services. The app is part of the push for a “digital sovereignty” strategy, which aims to reduce dependence on Western services and encourage migration to home-grown alternatives.
Critics, however, warn that this local platform could facilitate increased state surveillance. Human Rights Watch reported last month that Russia is expanding its technological capacity to monitor and censor online activity, which includes blocking or throttling of unwanted websites and circumvention tools.
Surveillance concerns and the road ahead
Meta has been designated an “extremist organization” in Russia since 2022, following its decision to permit political speech against the Russian government on Facebook and Instagram. This led to the ban of Facebook and Instagram, with only WhatsApp remaining operational in the country, although lawmakers have also suggested it should be forced to exit the market as well.
In July, Gorelkin warned that WhatsApp should “prepare to leave Russia” if it continues to resist cooperation.
Digital rights groups have expressed alarm that Moscow’s new app could be used to track citizens’ communications and online behavior. The proposed platform will be linked to existing government service portals, raising fears of data integration that could enable comprehensive monitoring.
In recent months, authorities have also throttled or cut mobile internet in certain regions, citing reasons such as the incessant drone attacks from Ukraine and the need to curb them. But critics note that such measures also affect the ability of citizens to organise protests or access independent information.
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