In a move that signals Moscow’s growing push for digital independence, Russia has started restricting voice calls made through certain foreign messaging apps.
The change, confirmed by the country’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, comes as officials say they’re stepping up the fight against online crime.
The restrictions only apply to calls — other messenger functions, like text chats and file sharing, remain unaffected.
Why Authorities Are Targeting Telegram and WhatsApp
According to law enforcement agencies, and echoed by Roskomnadzor, two platforms top the list for misuse — Telegram and WhatsApp.
Officials claim these apps have become the go-to tools for scammers, extortionists, and groups trying to recruit Russians for sabotage or terrorism.
It’s worth noting that WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, is officially classified as “extremist” and banned in Russia.
Telecom Giants Push for Foreign Call Ban
Russia’s four biggest mobile operators — MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, and Tele2 — have reportedly been lobbying for a full ban on voice calls in foreign messengers.
This information came via a Forbes source and journalist Ksenia Sobchak.
While one telecom insider confirmed that such a proposal was floated back in May, it didn’t gain official backing.
Even Rostelecom’s president, Mikhail Oseevskiy, said he wasn’t aware of any such request from operators.
Lawmakers Warn of Backlash
Not everyone in politics is on board with the idea.
Anton Tkachev, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, argued that completely banning foreign messenger calls would be a recipe for public anger.
He warned that frustrated users would quickly find ways to bypass restrictions — calling the plan a “utopia” that wouldn’t work in practice.
The National Alternative: Max Messenger
While foreign messenger calls face new hurdles, Russia is preparing to roll out its own alternative — Max.
The national messenger, developed by VK’s subsidiary “Communication Platform,” is set for its full launch in early autumn 2025.
Its beta version went live in March, followed by legal moves in June and July to officially designate Max as the country’s national messaging service.
What Max Can Already Do
The Ministry of Digital Development says Max isn’t just about chats. It already supports:
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File transfers up to 4 GB
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Audio and video calls, including group calls
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In-chat money transfers
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An integrated AI assistant, GigaChat 2.0
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Mini-apps from Russian companies
Looking ahead, developers plan to integrate Max with state services like Gosuslugi, the country’s digital ID system GosKey, and educational platforms.