Russian authorities have begun throttling the Telegram messaging platform, escalating pressure on foreign tech services as the Kremlin promotes a tightly controlled, state-backed alternative.
Russia’s internet watchdog Roskomnadzor said on Tuesday it was introducing “phased restrictions” on Telegram, accusing the app of failing to comply with Russian laws requiring user data to be stored domestically and used to prevent what Moscow labels “criminal and terrorist activity.”
The move comes as Russia intensifies control over the digital space amid its war in Ukraine and a broader crackdown on dissent. Rights groups say the restrictions are aimed less at security and more at surveillance and information control.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders condemned the decision as part of a sustained effort to “strangle the circulation of information,” noting that Russia ranks near the bottom of its global press freedom index. Amnesty International described the slowdown as “censorship under the guise of protecting people’s rights.”
Telegram is one of Russia’s most widely used platforms, serving both as a private messaging service and a key channel for news, official statements and commentary. Government agencies, the Kremlin and pro-war bloggers all rely heavily on it.
Some prominent military bloggers criticized the decision, warning it could disrupt communications from the front lines and Russian-occupied territories. Others argued that slowing Telegram would undermine Russia’s own information campaigns and recruitment efforts.
At the same time, Moscow is promoting a domestic alternative called Max, which integrates messaging with payments and access to government services, giving authorities far greater oversight of user activity.
Russia has previously attempted to block Telegram, which is run by Pavel Durov, but abandoned the effort in 2020 after technical failures. Durov, who left Russia years ago, has long clashed with authorities and was forced out of the VK social network he founded.
Users across Russia reported slower speeds and lagging downloads on Telegram hours before the official announcement. Roskomnadzor has also throttled or restricted other foreign platforms, including WhatsApp, owned by Meta, and YouTube.
Critics warn that the Telegram slowdown signals a new phase in Russia’s effort to seal its internet behind state-approved platforms and narratives.
