Russia turns on Telegram.
All over the world, social media companies are under pressure from government actors, and our hard-won freedom of expression is under threat in the process.
Example: Russia.
After banning US platforms like Facebook, Instagram and
Yesterday (11), Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor began restricting access to Telegram.
🔥 «Who is slowing down Telegram? Go to the front lines»
Pro-Kremlin politicians clash over restrictions on Telegram in Russia.
Sergei Mironov, a member of the Russian parliament and strong supporter of the war, publicly criticized the move to delay or block the war. pic.twitter.com/Gmk5ZN6wWX
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 11, 2026
Bloomberg reported:
Measures to slow access to the courier service have already begun, the news service reported, citing another known person it did not identify. RBC said it had sent a request for comment to Roskomnadzor.
The government is promoting the use of a state-run “super app” called Max, modeled on China’s WeChat, while at the same time blocking access to foreign courier services. In addition to messaging, Max also hosts government services and enables document storage, banking and other public and commercial services.”
After Russian authorities restricted access to the messaging app Telegram, a Russian lawmaker called the measure “Defense of the information frontline… one of the components in the battle between Russia and NATO.” The restriction was widely reported in today’s Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia pic.twitter.com/KWAZ0TEljS
— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) February 11, 2026
“Authorities in Moscow began imposing selective restrictions on Telegram in late 2025, including limiting some features, such as voice and video calling, on the service co-founded by Russian billionaire Pavel Durov.”
Eight years ago, Iran tried the same strategy – and failed. It banned Telegram under fabricated pretexts, in an attempt to force people into a state alternative. Despite the ban, most Iranians still use Telegram (bypassing censorship) and prefer it to monitored apps. Freedom prevails.
— Pavel Durov (@durov) February 10, 2026
UPDATE: News is coming that Russia has now also completely banned WhatsApp and YouTube.
WhatsApp has been completely blocked in Russia and the domain has been removed from Roskomnadzor’s DNS database, completely cutting off access.
YouTube also disappeared from the database yesterday and is now only accessible via VPN.
These steps are likely intended to free up resources for further… pic.twitter.com/zuAZvghXzj
— Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) February 11, 2026
BREAKING:
The Russian government has started blocking YouTube.
A total iron curtain is being prepared for the population. pic.twitter.com/6v2sMJR1V1
— Astraia Intel (@astraiaintel) February 10, 2026
Read more from August 2024:
BREAKING: Telegram CEO arrested by French authorities for refusing to follow censorship laws
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