The Kremlin is requesting access to call data for terrorist investigations. Credit: Photoibo/shutterstock.com
A few days before Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were scheduled to face-to-face in Alaska, Russia announced major restrictions on voice calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, citing its efforts to combat crime.
Russian users of WhatsApp and Telegram have experienced restrictions on their call capabilities. Text messaging has not been affected so far.
Roskomnadzor – Russian federal services to oversee communications, IT and the media claimed that the two apps “have become the main services used to engage Russian citizens in sabotage and coercion, and sabotage and terrorist acts.”
Authorities said repeated requests for businesses to take action have been ignored. The Kremlin has requested access to call data for terrorism-related investigations, adding that restrictions will be lifted if the platform complies with Russian law.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 13th. The Moscow fines fined telegrams over US$130,000 for refusing to localize data from Russian citizens.
A WhatsApp spokesman said the encrypted messaging app “refusing any attempt by the government to violate people’s rights to ensure communication, and Russia is trying to block it from more than 100 million Russians.”
The move comes just weeks after Russia began promoting a new national messaging app called Max, which is likened to China’s WeChat. Officials say messaging will be integrated with access to public services.
Over the summer, authorities also imposed extensive mobile internet closures, claiming that this measure was necessary to stop the Ukrainian drone attacks. Experts argue that it is part of a broader effort to enhance internet control.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Communications is working with providers on a “white list” of important websites and services to make them more accessible during power outages.
In Crimea, it was illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014 – installed Russian authorities said mobile internet closures could last indefinitely.
Last month, the government introduced a law that punishes users for searching for content deemed illegal, informing them of new actions against WhatsApp. Reports of call confusion emerged in Russian media this week, with users complaining of failed connections and unauthorized calls.
According to MediaScope, WhatsApp was Russia’s most popular platform in July, with over 96 million users each month. Telegram ranked second in over 89 million people.
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