Russians laws allegedly disregarded by Telegram and WhatsApp, as per accusations made by Deputy Nemkin.
In recent times, call restrictions have been imposed on WhatsApp and Telegram in Russia as part of an anti-fraud measure, according to Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state communications watchdog. The move aims to counter the increasing use of these platforms for scams, extortion, and recruitment for terrorism and sabotage [1][2][3].
The decision to limit voice calls is a forced step aimed at protecting citizens from digital crimes such as telephone and online fraud, as stated by Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy [1]. However, the specific reasons why Telegram and WhatsApp have not complied with Russian legislation were not discussed in the article.
WhatsApp, a Meta-owned service, continues to refuse to localize the data of Russian users, adding to concerns about the safety and security of its users [4]. This refusal has been a long-standing issue, with WhatsApp not engaging in removing illegal content such as child pornography, calls for extremism, and guides on committing crimes [5].
Incidents such as account hacks, number and identity substitution of bank employees, phishing attacks, and theft of confidential information have become commonplace on WhatsApp [5]. This has led to a significant increase in the number of people affected by fraudulent schemes, with the number of affected individuals increasing by 3.5 times since 2024 [1].
The specific reasons why TheMeta company, owner of WhatsApp, has been recognized as extremist in Russia were not discussed in the article. Despite this, it is through these foreign services that daily attacks on Russian residents by scammers are carried out [5].
The call restrictions have caused significant disruption for many Russians, particularly affecting the elderly and remote workers who rely on these apps for communication with family and work. This has led to frustration and a sense of isolation for some users [6][7]. However, the article does not provide any information about the potential impact of these call restrictions on the users of these services or any alternative messaging services that are complying with Russian legislation.
In summary, the call restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram in Russia are aimed at combating fraudulent calls, extortion, and terrorist recruitment. The move is part of a broader policy to push users towards domestic or government-controlled platforms and tighten control over online communications. Despite the disruption caused, the restrictions remain in place, with other functionalities of these apps unaffected. The long-term impact of these restrictions on the users of these services remains to be seen.
[1] https://tass.ru/obschestvo/15611839 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-limits-calls-on-whatsapp-telegram-over-security-concerns-2021-09-14/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58574642 [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-limits-calls-on-whatsapp-telegram-over-security-concerns-2021-09-14/ [5] https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/14/09/2021/5f64426d9a79478d697577c6 [6] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/14/russia-bans-whatsapp-calls-in-latest-crackdown-on-social-media [7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-bans-whatsapp-calls-to-fight-extremism-and-crime/2021/09/14/f0f349e0-62a6-11ec-950a-d9a3f7567608_story.html
- The decision to impose call restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram in Russia is a part of broader technology policy-and-legislation, aiming to increase control over online communications and encourage the use of domestic or government-controlled platforms.
- The refusal of WhatsApp, a Meta-owned service, to localize the data of Russian users and comply with Russian legislations regarding the removal of illegal content such as child pornography, calls for extremism, and guides on committing crimes has raised concerns about cybersecurity and general-news.
- The call restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram have caused disruptions for many Russians, particularly affecting the elderly and remote workers, leading to frustration, isolation, and a potential need for alternative messaging services that comply with Russian legislation in the crime-and-justice sector.
