Russia Weighs Blocking Messenger Calls to Fight Cyberfraud

With losses from phone scams nearing $3 billion last year, Russia is considering disabling voice calls on messaging apps to protect users.

Russia may soon restrict voice calls made through messaging apps as part of a broader campaign to fight cybercrime. At the 2025 Tadviser Summit, Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev confirmed that officials are discussing the measure to protect citizens from scams.

Cyberfraud has become a major issue worldwide, and Russia is no exception. In 2024 alone, Russians lost nearly 300 billion rubles to scams—many triggered by calls from unknown numbers or suspicious file links. Internet-based calls are harder to regulate than those through cellular networks, making them an attractive tool for fraudsters.

One proposed solution is to block voice calling features in messenger apps. While experts warn this could negatively affect user experience, some argue it could work similarly to Russia’s voluntary credit block system, which has shown promise.

Technically, the restriction is feasible, and government agencies have expressed readiness to implement it if approved.