JAKARTA - The Telegram instant messaging application faces additional restrictions and the threat of a large fine in Russia after authorities judged the platform failed to correct previous violations of local laws.
Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, said on Tuesday that a number of messaging apps, including Telegram, had not taken adequate steps in recent months to follow up on the regulator's complaints.
"As before, Russian law is not being obeyed, personal data is not protected, and there are no effective measures to combat fraud and the use of applications for criminal and terrorist purposes," Roskomnadzor said in a statement.
The regulator stressed that it would continue to impose further restrictions. "Therefore, based on the decision of the competent authorities, Roskomnadzor will continue to impose gradual restrictions to ensure compliance with Russian laws and guarantee the protection of citizens," the statement continued.
Previously, in August 2025, Roskomnadzor began restricting Telegram's voice and video calling services. A similar move was also applied to Meta's WhatsApp. In December, Russia blocked Apple's FaceTime service as part of tightening against foreign technology companies.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. said Telegram did not meet Russian legal requirements. "It is a pity that the company does not carry out the law that must be obeyed," Peskov told state news agency TASS.
On the other hand, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, defended his platform and reaffirmed his commitment to freedom of expression and user privacy. In his upload on his Telegram channel, Durov accused the access restrictions of encouraging Russian citizens to switch to state-controlled alternatives, allegedly referring to the MAX application.
"Limiting the freedom of citizens is not the right answer," Durov wrote. "Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, whatever the pressure."
Telegram is one of the most important communication platforms in Russia. The app is widely used by the Kremlin, courts, media, public figures, and even exiled opposition groups to quickly disseminate information to large audiences. A number of military bloggers also say Telegram is widely used by the Russian army in the conflict in Ukraine.
A number of Moscow residents admitted to experiencing interference in Telegram services. Roman, a media worker, said his performance was very affected. "I noticed it clearly today. My business depends a lot on this app, so it's bad," he said. He added that many Russian companies rely on social media rather than email to attract new clients.
Another resident, Anna, admitted that he was worried if the restrictions were tightened. "It's very bad because all my friends and family use Telegram. I don't know how I'll communicate with them because I don't want to switch to another platform," he said.
State news agency RIA reported that Telegram faces fines of up to 64 million rubles, or about $830,000, in eight upcoming court hearings related to alleged failure to remove content required by Russian law. In addition, the collection authority is said to be seeking to collect about 9 million rubles from previous fines that have not been paid.
Russia in recent years has increased restrictions on foreign apps while developing a state-backed rival, MAX, which is promoted for messaging services and government service access. Critics say the app could be used for surveillance, although state media have denied the allegations.
Russia's attempt to block Telegram in 2018 had previously failed. However, the government has banned Meta's Facebook and Instagram and restricted access to Alphabet's YouTube. This latest development marks a new phase of pressure on foreign digital platforms in Russia.
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