Russia moves to limit voice calls on foreign messaging apps

Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has announced measures to partially restrict voice calls on foreign messaging apps, citing the need to combat criminal activity. 

The agency, responsible for overseeing media and telecommunications in Russia, said the move is based on information from law enforcement agencies and aims specifically at reducing fraud, extortion, and the “use of messaging platforms to involve Russian citizens in sabotage or terrorist activities,” Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

According to Roskomnadzor, the restrictions will not affect other functions of the apps, which include Telegram and WhatsApp. The agency cited law enforcement data and complaints from citizens indicating that these platforms have become the primary channels for such criminal activity.

This week, Russia’s four major telecom operators—MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, and Tele2—requested that calls on foreign messaging apps be blocked, according to reports in Forbes. Journalists, including Ksenia Sobchak, also cited government sources confirming the request.

A source at one of the telecom companies told RBC that a similar proposal had been suggested in May but did not receive approval. Meanwhile, Rostelecom’s CEO, Mikhail Oseevsky, said the company had not received any such request from other operators.

Anton Tkachev, first deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications, warned that banning calls through foreign messaging apps could provoke public backlash and encourage users to seek ways to circumvent restrictions. He added that declining use of regular phone calls reduces telecom revenue, which in turn increases infrastructure costs for maintaining uninterrupted service.

By Sabina Mammadli