New Delhi: Russia on Wednesday made moves to block popular social media platforms WhatsApp and Telegram in an effort to promote its home-grown alternatives and tighten control over the country’s internet space.
WhatsApp responded, highlighting that the attempt could isolate over 100 million users and compromise their safety. The company stated that the Russian government’s action is intended to drive people toward a state-owned surveillance app and warned that such a move “can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”
In a post on X, it said: “We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
Telegram founder Pavel Durov described the move as “authoritarian” and said it will not alter the company’s direction. In a post on X, he noted that the restriction is aimed at pushing citizens onto a state-controlled app designed for surveillance and political censorship. However, he emphasized that Telegram remains committed to freedom and privacy, regardless of external pressures.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed skepticism about the military using messaging apps to communicate on the front line. Peskov said he was not an expert in the field and suggested that such questions should be directed to the Defense Ministry. Peskov told TASS that it was hard to imagine frontline communication being conducted via Telegram or any other messenger.
