The WhatsApp team commented on the restrictions imposed by Roskomnadzor on calls in Russia, which also affect Telegram. In an official statement, WhatsApp developers said that they will do everything possible to ensure that users in Russia have access to secure communication protected by end-to-end encryption.
WhatsApp emphasized that the messenger is confidential and opposes attempts by governments to violate people's right to secure communication. According to their estimates, there are about 100 million users of the platform in Russia.
Data from the research company Mediascope shows that in July 2025, WhatsApp's monthly reach in Russia was 96.2 million people, while Telegram's was 89.8 million. This underscores the scale of the problem and the importance of these platforms for Russian users.
After the restrictions were introduced, the Telegram team also issued a statement, in which it indicated that it was taking active measures to prevent abuse of the platform. Telegram moderators, using artificial intelligence and machine learning, delete millions of materials with malicious content every day, including calls for violence and fraud.
The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia noted that both platforms refuse to comply with the requirements of Russian legislation. According to the ministry, compliance with these standards is the main condition for lifting restrictions on conversations.