Russia's Roskomnadzor Admits Deliberately Slowing Telegram Video, Duma Proposes Rescue Plan

Russia - Ekhbary News Agency

Russia's federal service for supervising communications, information technology, and mass media, Roskomnadzor, has officially acknowledged implementing deliberate restrictive measures that have led to significant slowdowns in video loading on the popular messaging application, Telegram. This admission follows weeks of escalating user complaints and media reports linking performance issues to the regulatory body's activities.

Since the beginning of 2024, Russian Telegram users have increasingly reported substantial delays and buffering issues when attempting to load videos and multimedia content within the application, severely impacting their user experience. These complaints have escalated across social media platforms and online forums, raising serious concerns about the app's performance in the country.

Initially, Roskomnadzor denied any involvement in these problems, suggesting that the causes might be internal technical issues related to Telegram itself or network congestion. However, a significant shift occurred last week when officials within the agency reversed their earlier stance. They unequivocally admitted that the difficulties users were experiencing with media file loading, particularly videos, were a direct result of targeted, restrictive measures implemented against the messenger. The agency justified these actions by citing Telegram's alleged failure to comply with specific Russian regulatory requirements, which often pertain to data localization, content moderation, or the removal of 'prohibited' information under Russian law. This admission has sparked considerable debate and concern among digital rights advocates and the general public.

In response to the growing public discontent and the official admission, members of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, have initiated discussions on potential solutions. A 'plan to save the messenger' has reportedly been proposed, aiming to restore Telegram's full functionality for Russian users. While the specifics of this plan remain under wraps, it is believed to involve either legislative amendments to encourage compliance without severe restrictions, or negotiations with Telegram to find a mutually acceptable framework. Some parliamentary figures have emphasized the importance of Telegram as a vital communication tool for millions of Russians and have called for a pragmatic approach that balances national security concerns with user experience.

This development highlights the ongoing tension between Russian authorities and major international tech platforms. Russia has a history of imposing restrictions on internet services that do not fully comply with its increasingly stringent internet laws. The deliberate slowing down of a widely used app like Telegram, which serves as a vital source of news and communication for many, underscores the extent to which the government is willing to exert control over the digital space. Users are left navigating a slower service, while the long-term implications for digital freedom and access to information remain a subject of intense scrutiny. The situation continues to evolve, with public and political pressure mounting for a definitive resolution. Ekhbary Portal