Russian authorities have begun limiting access to Telegram, one of the country’s most widely used messaging platforms, as the government seeks to steer citizens toward state-controlled alternatives. The restrictions, announced on Tuesday, are justified by officials as necessary for the “protection of Russian citizens,” with accusations that Telegram has failed to block content deemed “criminal and terrorist” under Russian law.
The country’s telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor, stated that the restrictions would remain in place until Telegram complies with local regulations. Authorities further criticized the platform for insufficient personal data protection and alleged failure to prevent criminal misuse. Telegram has rejected these claims, insisting it actively combats illegal activity on its service.
As part of enforcement, Telegram faces fines of 64 million rubles (approximately $828,000) for allegedly refusing to remove prohibited content. Users across Russia reported disruptions in service, including slow connections and outages, with Downdetector logging over 11,000 complaints within 24 hours of the announcement.
Telegram remains heavily used in Russia, including by the military, government bodies, state media, and public officials. Founder Pavel Durov condemned the government’s move, stating it would fail to curb access. “Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure,” Durov said, noting Russia aims to push citizens onto Max, a state-approved messaging app pre-installed on all new smartphones.
The Max app, developed by VKontakte (VK), which Durov co-founded before leaving Russia in 2014, allows messaging, money transfers, and audio/video calls. Experts note that Russia’s push to replace foreign apps is part of a nearly decade-long effort to control citizen access to international platforms. Previous restrictions on Telegram, including partial bans on calls last year, have faced backlash even from pro-military commentators in Russia.
Analysts say Russia’s efforts mirror China’s Great Firewall model, though technical limitations and domestic resistance mean many users, particularly tech-savvy Russians, continue to access Telegram via VPNs and other workarounds. The move highlights ongoing tension between government control, internet freedom, and public reliance on global digital services.
