MOUNTING REGULATORY SCRUTINY
Telegram’s resistance to some of these requirements has placed it under scrutiny, with authorities also opening a criminal case against its founder. Other major platforms have faced blocks under similar rules.
For many businesses like Ekaterina’s, Telegram is more than just a messaging app – it is a key marketing and customer engagement tool.
“It’s an international messenger,” said one commercial director. “I need to communicate with people for work, so it’s a big problem for me right now.”
Analysts say replacing Telegram will not be easy, as the app is deeply embedded in daily life in Russia – from private messaging to news and community groups.
Alexander Kuksa of the Interactive Advertising Development Association, an alliance of key players in the Russian interactive advertising market, said Telegram serves not only as a communication tool but also as a business infrastructure, particularly through chatbots used for generating leads.
Max, launched in 2025, has yet to see widespread adoption despite being integrated with state-run services.
There are also concerns about how the app collects data and where that data is stored.
As for disruption and service slowdowns, authorities said some mobile internet services are being restricted for security reasons.
They have introduced “white lists” of approved online resources during outages, allowing continued access to essential services such as taxis, food delivery and maps.
But for many users and small business owners, the changes go beyond inconvenience – threatening livelihoods built in the digital space.