The recent decision by Russian authorities to block and slow down the Telegram messaging app has garnered severe criticism from rights groups, with Amnesty International at the forefront. Marie Struthers, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director at Amnesty International, has denounced the move as a significant infringement on the freedom of expression, arguing that it severely undermines the ability of individuals to communicate securely. She emphasized that this action is part of a broader strategy to tighten state control over online communications, which has already impacted other messaging services.
In mid-February, Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications watchdog, announced its intention to slow down Telegram due to alleged failures to combat fraud and claims that the platform was utilized by criminal and terrorist organizations. These measures resulted in over 11,000 user complaints, highlighting issues such as notification failures, mobile device crashes, and overall app malfunctions, as reported by Jurist.
The restrictions on Telegram are not new; they trace back to 2018 when the app was temporarily blocked for refusing to hand over encryption keys to security services. In a controversial move in 2025, Roskomnadzor extended bans to Telegram and WhatsApp, citing the misuse of their voice services for fraudulent and criminal activities. That same year, students faced fines for allegedly “discrediting armed forces and promoting LGBTQA+ propaganda” via Telegram posts.
While defending its stance, Roskomnadzor has reiterated its commitment to cooperating only with internet entities that comply with Russian laws. The agency insists that its requirements, which include hosting servers within Russia, protecting personal data, and preventing extremism, are transparent and uniformly applied.
Amnesty International’s critique, echoed by other rights organizations, underscores broader concerns about the erosion of digital freedoms in Russia. These developments compel users to resort to circumvention tools to maintain secure communication or risk exposure to state-monitored platforms, painting a troubling picture of the growing state influence over digital landscapes. As reported by BBC News, the approach highlights a more extensive clampdown on freedom of expression, drawing international attention to the challenges faced by Russian citizens in navigating a rapidly constricting digital environment.