Russia starts restricting registration of new users on Telegram and WhatsApp
31 October 10:21
Russia has begun to restrict the registration of new users on Telegram and WhatsApp , "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing Russian propaganda media.
The media outlet, citing a source in the telecom market, said that Russian telecom operators were required to stop sending SMS messages and calls to new users from Telegram and WhatsApp when they try to register.
“The requirement applies to contractors who send SMS and calls with an authorization code – it is the restriction of “transmission of short text messages and termination of voice connections” from them that is necessary to “stop the registration of new Russian users,” the publication says.
Recently, Telegram no longer sends SMS messages to existing Russian users, using alternative methods such as emails or sending a code to other active Telegram sessions. However, this is still a mandatory step for registering new accounts, and therefore it may soon become impossible. At the same time, according to media reports, the new restriction may affect already registered users, as they will also not be able to use SMS and calls as a method of obtaining the code required for authorization.
So far, not all Russian operators have complied with this regulation, as some still continue to send out codes.
Blocking Telegram and WhatsApp
Earlier, users from the southern regions of Russia complained about malfunctions of Telegram and WhatsApp. Some people were unable to send messages, others could not upload photos and videos. Roskomnadzor reported that it was taking measures to partially restrict the work of foreign messengers to counteract criminals.
on October 30, residents of the occupied Crimea also complained about the failures. The regional operator Volna explained the problems in the work of messengers by the measures of the National Security Council.
“The work of Telegram and WhatsApp in Crimea is partially limited. The Roskomnadzor is taking measures to block these applications, this applies to subscribers of all operators and providers in Russia,” the press service of Volna said.
However, Roskomnadzor itself later denied this information, saying that the agency does not block the work of messengers in Crimea.
Banks refuse to use foreign messengers
Against this backdrop, it has become known that Russian banks have almost completely abandoned support for their clients via Telegram and WhatsApp. A Naumen survey shows that from April to October, the share of financial institutions using Telegram to consult clients decreased from 73 to 6%, and the share of WhatsApp from 1 to 0%.
At the same time, only one bank switched to an analog – the Russian messenger Max. The rest use alternative channels: VKontakte and Odnoklassniki social networks, email, a form on the bank’s website, or a chat in a mobile application. The latter method prevails among market players: it is preferred by 85% of financial organizations.
