Russia’s telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has initiated a process of slowing down and restricting access to Telegram, the messaging application, as reported by the Russian news source RBC. The Russian government is advocating for the adoption of a state-endorsed alternative called Max as a replacement for Telegram and Whatsapp.
Roskomnadzor has stated its intention to continue implementing what it terms as “gradual limitations” on Telegram, asserting that the platform has not taken adequate actions to prevent fraudulent and criminal activities.
Recent information from Reuters indicates that individuals in Moscow have encountered service disruptions, such as delays and connectivity issues. A user mentioned by the news agency expressed difficulties in maintaining communication with friends and family due to the imposed restrictions, as many of them heavily rely on Telegram for communication purposes.
These recent actions come after previous measures taken in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor partially restricted voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp. During that period, the regulator cited the use of these services for extortion and activities associated with terrorism. Concurrently, Russian authorities mandated the installation of a government-supported messaging application, Max, on smartphones and tablets sold within the country, as detailed in the Reuters report.
