"RCN's announcement regarding the limited access to calls on Telegram and WhatsApp platforms made public"
Roskomnadzor, Russia's state telecom regulator, has announced the implementation of measures to partially restrict voice calls on popular messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp [1][2][3]. The move is aimed at combating scammers who have been using these platforms for fraud, extortion, and recruitment for subversive and terrorist activities.
The restrictions apply only to voice calls, with text messaging and other functionalities remaining fully operational. This decision was made following data from law enforcement and citizen complaints, indicating that scammers have shifted to these apps after earlier crackdowns on spoofed calls via traditional phone networks [1][2].
Roskomnadzor has stated that the call limits will be lifted if Telegram and WhatsApp establish local legal entities in Russia, comply with Russian legislation, and cooperate with authorities [1][2]. However, both companies have reportedly ignored the requirements sent by Roskomnadzor to combat fraud.
Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, disputes Russia's claims but has taken steps to address the issue. In 2025, Meta reportedly blocked more than 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts tied to scams and introduced user tools like silencing unknown callers to reduce scam calls [1][5].
Telegram, on the other hand, uses AI moderation tools to monitor and remove millions of malicious messages daily, resisting fraudulent activity on the platform. However, it has not fully complied with Russian authorities' demands [1].
Russian officials emphasize that these measures are to protect the public, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly, from scams that often involve fake emergency calls or pretending to be relatives in distress. They also frame this as part of a broader effort to enforce digital sovereignty by encouraging homegrown secure communication platforms and prevent foreign intelligence access via these widely used messaging apps [4].
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[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-partially-restricts-calls-on-telegram-whatsapp-2025-02-01/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55814471 [3] https://www.theverge.com/2025/02/01/22889138/russia-restricts-telegram-whatsapp-calls-fraud-scams [4] https://www.rt.com/russia/55814471-russia-restricts-telegram-whatsapp-calls-fraud-scams/ [5] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/02/01/whatsapp-blocks-6-8-million-accounts-tied-to-scams [6] https://t.me/oursite_news [7] https://www.oursite.com/subscribe
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