Russia’s internet watchdog is restricting Telegram to force users onto a state-backed app, a move critics call a censorship drive to control online information.
MOSCOW: Russia’s internet watchdog has begun throttling access to the Telegram messenger service. The move is widely seen as an attempt to push citizens towards a state-controlled domestic alternative.
The Roskomnadzor agency announced phased restrictions on Tuesday, citing Telegram’s alleged failure to comply with Russian laws. These laws mandate that user data be stored inside Russia and require platforms to combat what Moscow terms “criminal and terrorist” use.
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, accused Russia of trying to force a switch to “a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship”. Durov, who lives outside Russia, stated that “Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
The platform is extensively used across Russia for messaging, social media, and official communications. Almost all major public figures, including government bodies and pro-war bloggers, use it to post regular updates.
Some influential military correspondents criticised the throttling, saying it would hobble frontline communications. “It’s very unpleasant,” said the popular Two Majors channel, lamenting the shift to Russian apps that lack an international audience.
Moscow is promoting a state-backed competitor named Max, which also handles payments and government services. Critics and rights groups argue the restrictions are a transparent attempt to ramp up state control and surveillance online.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the “strategy to strangle the circulation of information”. Amnesty International branded the move “censorship and obstruction under the guise of protecting people’s rights and interests”.
Russian users reported slow traffic and lagging downloads on Telegram throughout Tuesday. Roskomnadzor has previously attempted to restrict other foreign services like WhatsApp and YouTube.
This is not Russia’s first attempt to block Telegram; a previous ban from 2018 to 2020 ultimately failed. Durov was forced out of his previous company, VK, under pressure from Russian authorities before launching Telegram from exile.