Russia’s internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, has taken the significant step of blocking the Viber messaging app, citing violations of national legislation. Authorities have accused the platform of facilitating illegal activities, including terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. The move represents another measure in the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to exert greater control over digital communications within the country.
Viber, owned by Japanese tech company Rakuten, is one of Russia’s most widely used messaging apps, with over 17 million daily users. It ranks third in popularity behind WhatsApp and Telegram. The ban has already disrupted communication for millions of users who rely on the platform, both personally and professionally.
Roskomnadzor has stated that Viber failed to comply with laws requiring digital platforms to prevent illegal activities. Officials claim that Viber’s failure to enforce these regulations posed a risk to national security. Lawmakers, including parliamentarian Anton Nemkin, pointed to the app’s registration process, which requires only a phone number, as a factor that makes it appealing to criminals and foreign intelligence networks.
Viber has previously faced fines in Russia for its alleged refusal to remove content deemed illegal by authorities, including material related to the war in Ukraine. In June 2023, Rakuten was fined 1 million rubles (approximately $10,000), a penalty that officials claim remains unpaid.
The ban on Viber is part of a broader campaign by Russian authorities to control online platforms and restrict access to foreign technology. Earlier this year, Roskomnadzor restricted access to the Signal app for alleged violations of anti-terrorism laws. Other platforms, such as Discord, have faced similar accusations. In 2024, Apple was forced to remove VPN apps like NordVPN and Proton VPN from its Russian App Store under pressure from the government.
This crackdown is not limited to messaging apps. Major international social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), were blocked in 2022. YouTube has also faced repeated slowdowns and restrictions, as the government seeks to push users toward state-approved alternatives like VKontakte, Russia’s version of Facebook.
The Viber ban raises concerns among users and digital rights advocates. Critics argue that such measures are part of a broader effort to curtail freedom of communication and isolate Russia’s digital infrastructure from the global internet. However, many Russians have found ways to circumvent these restrictions by using virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow access to blocked platforms.
Despite the widespread use of VPNs, tech analysts warn that the crackdown could extend to other popular messaging apps, including WhatsApp and Telegram. While Roskomnadzor has not announced plans to target these platforms, the Viber ban signals the possibility of further restrictions in the future.
The impact of the ban on Viber also underscores the challenges facing tech companies operating in Russia. Digital platforms are increasingly under pressure to comply with stringent regulations, often at the expense of user privacy and free expression. Rakuten has not yet commented on the ban, but similar incidents have prompted other companies to withdraw from the Russian market entirely.
As the Kremlin tightens its grip on the digital landscape, millions of Viber users must now turn to alternative platforms or find ways to bypass government restrictions. The ban serves as a stark reminder of the growing tension between national security concerns and the preservation of digital freedoms, a debate playing out in Russia and around the world.