Russia Slows Down Telegram Over Non-Compliance with Legislation, Kremlin Confirms
MOSCOW — Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed the recent disruptions to the Telegram messaging service on Wednesday, expressing regret that the platform failed to comply with Russian legislation. The statement follows the implementation of “phased restrictions” by Russia’s internet watchdog, Roskomnadzor, which has begun slowing down the popular messaging app across the country.
Peskov clarified that the decision to throttle the service was a direct consequence of the company’s refusal to adhere to national laws regarding data storage and content moderation. “We regret that the administration of Telegram did not find it possible to fulfill the requirements of the Russian legislation,” Peskov told reporters. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to block the service entirely but to compel compliance with legal standards that require foreign technology companies to store the personal data of Russian users within the country’s borders.
The restrictions, which began affecting users on Tuesday, have resulted in widespread reports of slow loading times, delayed message delivery, and lagging media downloads. Roskomnadzor officially announced the measures, citing “repeated legal and security violations” and the platform’s failure to prevent its use for what authorities described as “criminal and terrorist purposes.”
The regulator stated that the slowdown would remain in effect until the platform meets all enforcement demands. “We will continue the phased introduction of restrictions,” Roskomnadzor said in a statement carried by state media, warning that further non-compliance could lead to more severe punitive actions.
This move marks a significant escalation in Moscow’s ongoing efforts to regulate foreign internet platforms. Authorities have long pressed tech giants to open local offices and maintain data servers on Russian soil. While Telegram was previously banned in Russia between 2018 and 2020, the ban was ultimately lifted after the app’s founder, Pavel Durov, agreed to cooperate on certain counter-terrorism efforts. However, tensions have resurfaced as the Kremlin seeks tighter control over the digital information space.
Observers note that the crackdown coincides with the government’s promotion of a domestic alternative, a state-backed messenger service called “Max,” which integrates social networking with government services and payment processing. Analysts suggest the throttling of Telegram may be part of a broader strategy to steer the Russian populace toward this more tightly controlled domestic ecosystem.
Despite the restrictions, Peskov noted that a total ban is not currently the primary objective, provided the platform moves toward compliance. “The goal is not to close or block, but to ensure the observance of law,” he stated. Telegram remains one of the most widely used platforms in Russia, utilized heavily by ordinary citizens, government officials, and military bloggers alike for real-time news and communication.
Telegram has not yet issued an official response to the new restrictions, though the company has historically resisted handing over encryption keys or user data to state security agencies, citing user privacy as a core principle.
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