For the last two days, Telegram and WhatsApp users in Russia have been facing problems in making calls. This problem, which started on August 11, has been continuing for the second day now. Many people are saying that calls are not getting through, and even if they are getting through, the other person’s voice is broken. In some cases, even text messages are getting delayed.
Sources related to the government and telecom sector say that this is not a simple technical issue, but there is deliberate preparation to block the calling feature. According to Ksenia Sobchak, “the decision has been taken at the top level” and now only final consultations are left.
Why is this happening?
Russia’s four major telecom operators – MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, and Tele2 – say that they are no longer earning enough from calling. People are making an increasing number of calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, which is reducing their voice call revenue. Also, operators say that cyber fraud is also increasing through these messengers, because most scam calls now come from these platforms.
The second argument of the government is security. Telegram and WhatsApp do not follow Russia’s “data localization” law; that is, user data is not stored inside the country. At the same time, the new “Max” messenger is completely local and is connected to the government system.
Max – New National Messenger
VK company’s Max messenger was launched this year, and it has been declared the “national messenger” of Russia. The government, banks, universities, and even many regional administrations have started shifting to Max. From September 1, it will be pre-installed in all new smartphones and tablets, and registration will be done only on a Russian or Belarusian SIM.
Why is Telegram safer than WhatsApp?
Secret Chats on Telegram have end-to-end encryption and are not associated with companies like Meta, which are banned in Russia.
Why does everyone move from WhatsApp to Telegram?
Telegram has larger groups, channels, and more customization features. Also, many users believe that it is less intrusive in data sharing than WhatsApp.
How do calls work in Telegram?
Telegram calls are made via VoIP technology over the Internet. Data traffic is encrypted, but it can be blocked at the Internet level if the government wants.
Can I use WhatsApp in Telegram?
Not directly. However, some third-party bots or bridge services can transfer messages between the two, but they are not official and may be a security risk.
If the calling block is fully implemented, users will have two options: either shifting to a local messenger like Max or using a VPN. But in the long run, the government wants all online communication to happen on local platforms, where monitoring is easier.
For now, for those for whom Telegram and WhatsApp are a daily necessity, these days are very troublesome, and perhaps these troubles are not going to end now.
My name is Farhad Dawar and I am graduate of the Institute of Media and Communication Studies Bahaddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan. I’m passionate about journalism and media, and I believe in journalism of courage, uncovering the truth, and shaping the future.
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
