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Telegram Faces Potential Full Ban in Russia if It Fails to Follow Laws
(MENAFN) A senior Russian lawmaker has warned that the Telegram messaging app could face a complete ban in Russia if it does not comply with the country’s legal requirements.
"Telegram is a very high-quality platform, and I use it actively myself," Andrey Klishas, head of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, said in an interview. However, he stressed that all digital services operating in Russia must follow national laws, adding that "Telegram is no exception."
Klishas noted that the ultimate decision on the app’s status lies with the state communications regulator, urging the public to "wait for the decision of Roskomnadzor," the agency overseeing media and communications in the country.
The warning comes amid a wider Russian push to control foreign messaging services, following recent restrictions on WhatsApp after its parent company allegedly failed to comply with Russian legal norms. In response, Kremlin officials encouraged citizens to adopt "Max," a government-developed national messaging app that has been mandatory on new devices since 2025.
While Telegram remains widely used, including for military communications, the platform has faced growing pressure from authorities over requirements for data storage and anti-terrorism compliance. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has previously argued that these measures are intended to push users onto state-controlled platforms, a concern echoed by other tech companies over political censorship.
"Telegram is a very high-quality platform, and I use it actively myself," Andrey Klishas, head of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, said in an interview. However, he stressed that all digital services operating in Russia must follow national laws, adding that "Telegram is no exception."
Klishas noted that the ultimate decision on the app’s status lies with the state communications regulator, urging the public to "wait for the decision of Roskomnadzor," the agency overseeing media and communications in the country.
The warning comes amid a wider Russian push to control foreign messaging services, following recent restrictions on WhatsApp after its parent company allegedly failed to comply with Russian legal norms. In response, Kremlin officials encouraged citizens to adopt "Max," a government-developed national messaging app that has been mandatory on new devices since 2025.
While Telegram remains widely used, including for military communications, the platform has faced growing pressure from authorities over requirements for data storage and anti-terrorism compliance. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has previously argued that these measures are intended to push users onto state-controlled platforms, a concern echoed by other tech companies over political censorship.
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