Russian authorities have begun restricting access to Telegram, one of the country’s most popular social media platforms. The government continues to push citizens toward tightly controlled domestic alternatives as it distances itself from foreign tech.
On Tuesday, officials claimed the move was necessary for the “protection of Russian citizens.” Authorities accused the app of refusing to block content they consider “criminal and terrorist.” Russia’s telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor, stated it would continue these restrictions until Telegram eliminates all violations of Russian law.
Roskomnadzor argued that personal data on the app is unprotected. They also claimed the service lacks effective measures to counter fraud. Telegram has rejected these claims, stating that it actively combats harmful use on its platform.
According to the state news agency TASS, Telegram faces fines of 64 million rubles, or approximately $828,000. These penalties stem from the app’s alleged refusal to remove prohibited content and its failure to self-regulate.
As the measures took effect, users across Russia reported major service issues. Digital tracking site Downdetector recorded more than 11,000 complaints within 24 hours. Thousands of users found the app either completely broken or significantly slower than usual.
Telegram is a unique target for censorship because it is deeply embedded in Russian society. Millions of people use it daily, including the military, top-level public officials, and even the Kremlin itself.
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, released a statement on Tuesday vowing to resist the pressure. He asserted that the app stands for freedom of speech and privacy. Durov argued that Russia is trying to force citizens onto a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship.
Durov compared the current situation to a failed strategy used by Iran eight years ago. He noted that the Russian state-endorsed alternative, an app called Max, is now required to be pre-installed on all new devices sold in the country.
The Max app allows users to message, send money, and make calls. In an ironic twist, VKontakte (VK) developed the app. Durov co-founded VK before leaving Russia in 2014 after refusing to hand over user data to the Kremlin. VK is now state-owned.
Experts suggest this move follows a decade-long quest by Russia to control its digital borders. Adam Segal of the Council on Foreign Relations noted that while Russia has studied China’s “Great Firewall,” it still faces technical limitations and domestic pressure.
Prominent military bloggers have also criticized the move. They warn that restricting Telegram harms communication for troops on the front lines. Despite this pushback, Segal believes the Russian government views internal security control as worth the risk. Technologically savvy users are expected to continue using the app through VPNs and other workarounds.
