'Message Delivered': Russia Clamps Down On WhatsApp, Telegram Over Data Sharing
The Russian government has justified the new measures by accusing the platforms of failing to cooperate with law enforcement
Russia has escalated its long-standing dispute with foreign tech platforms by announcing restrictions on the use of voice calls within the messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram. The move, implemented by the state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, marks the latest step in Moscow's concerted effort to tighten its control over the country's internet and reduce reliance on foreign-owned services.
The Russian government has justified the new measures by accusing the platforms of failing to cooperate with law enforcement. According to official statements, these foreign messaging services have become the primary tools for criminals engaging in fraud and extortion, as well as for those involved in 'sabotage and terrorist activities". Authorities claim that their repeated requests to the platforms to take countermeasures and provide access to user data have been ignored.
This action is the culmination of a simmering dispute that has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has systematically tightened its grip on the internet by adopting restrictive laws, blocking websites, and fining companies that fail to comply with demands to store Russian user data on local servers, remove content deemed illegal, or establish local entities. The current restrictions, however, are a new and direct attack on the core functionality of two of the country's most popular messaging apps.
While text messaging and other features remain unaffected for now, users have reported significant disruptions to voice and video calls on both platforms, with complaints ranging from calls not connecting to poor audio quality. The government has indicated that these restrictions are 'partial" and will be lifted only if the platforms comply with Russian laws, including opening local offices and cooperating with law enforcement.
Critics argue that these restrictions are part of a broader strategy by Russia to achieve 'digital sovereignty". They point to the government's active promotion of a new state-backed messaging app, 'Max", developed by Russian social media giant VK. Unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, which use end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy, 'Max" is designed to be accessible to Russian security agencies, raising concerns about state surveillance and the erosion of digital freedoms.
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