Russian Users Launch Class-Action Against Roskomnadzor Over Messaging App Call Restrictions

A collective of WhatsApp and Telegram users in Russia has initiated a class-action lawsuit against the state media watchdog, Roskomnadzor, as well as the Digital Development Ministry, concerning the restrictions imposed on calls through both messaging platforms, according to Russian media reports on Tuesday.

The 42 claimants contend that these limitations infringe upon their constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of information and the confidentiality of communications.

In August, Roskomnadzor implemented limitations on voice and video calls for WhatsApp and Telegram, framing it as part of an anti-fraud strategy, which both companies have condemned.

In their legal filing, the plaintiffs refer to statistics from the Russian Central Bank, indicating that traditional mobile phone calls and SMS are the primary methods utilized for fraudulent activities, rather than messaging applications.

As of now, neither Roskomnadzor nor the Digital Development Ministry has provided a response regarding the lawsuit, which has been submitted to the Tagansky District Court in Moscow.

Earlier on Tuesday, WhatsApp, owned by Meta, accused Roskomnadzor of trying to strip over 100 million Russians of their right to private communication just before the holiday season.

“We are dedicated to advocating for our users because compelling individuals to use less secure, government-sanctioned applications can only compromise the safety of the Russian population,” WhatsApp stated, as reported by Reuters.

The company seemed to be alluding to Russia’s attempts to encourage users to switch to Max, a government-supported messaging application that was introduced in early 2025 and has faced criticism due to its security vulnerabilities.