Russia considers complete ban on calls in messaging apps – media
Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, along with the censorship authority Roskomnadzor, are discussing the potential implementation of call restrictions in messaging apps, supposedly due to an increase in fraudster activities.
Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing sources in the telecom market
Details: The sources indicate two scenarios are under consideration: blocking voice traffic only from abroad or implementing a complete ban on voice calls in messaging apps. A telecom market source adds that blocking voice calls in messaging apps can only be done at the level of Roskomnadzor.
In October, Roskomnadzor acknowledged the possibility of blocking calls via messaging apps, as the censorship authority can do so if they violate Russian law.
Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media told Kommersant that it is not currently "developing regulations restricting voice traffic in messaging apps" and remains "open to industry proposals". Roskomnadzor, though, did not respond to Kommersant's inquiry.
Kommersant reported that fraudulent calls in messaging apps now account for around 40% of traffic, a surge from just 1% three years ago. Meanwhile, MegaFon, Russia's second-largest mobile phone operator and third-largest telecom provider, stated that it "does not have the technical ability to analyse calls in messaging apps" or determine their country of origin.
According to MegaFon, fraudulent calls via messaging apps can currently only be prevented by additional applications on a subscriber's smartphone, Kommersant reports.
Background:
- The traffic of the American video hosting service YouTube in Russia has dropped to 20% of its usual level.
- Roskomnadzor blocked the popular Viber messaging app supposedly due to law violations.
- Russian users of the Signal messaging app reported issues with the service.
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