Russia Tests Blocking WhatsApp, Telegram Calls Amid Internet Control

Russian authorities have been testing and implementing restrictions on voice and video calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, causing widespread service disruptions reported across the country. These actions are part of a broader Kremlin strategy to establish a "sovereign internet," which includes replacing Western messaging apps with a domestic platform called Max, currently in testing and criticized for surveillance concerns. The telecommunications sector, citing increased costs due to sanctions and rising mobile traffic, has supported blocking foreign messenger calls to avoid full bans. The Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor has not publicly confirmed these restrictions, but monitoring services have recorded thousands of user complaints about call failures. This crackdown aligns with recent legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin to integrate the Max messenger with government services. Additionally, regional authorities have intensified mobile internet shutdowns, pushing citizens to rely on alternative communication means amid escalating digital control.