On August 9, 2024, russian media reported that russian Federal telecommunications regulator (Roskomnadzor) has blocked the encrypted Signal messaging app from use in the country. The official justification is that this is to prevent the use of the messenger for extremist or terrorist purposes, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Some commentators have suggested that the ban is intended to prevent the spread of information about the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk oblast, but this is highly unlikely.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzes How Ukrainian Forces Have Penetrated Deep into russia’s Kursk Region
Signal is used by many russian journalists and opposition activists to evade the government’s pervasive system of electronic monitoring, most notably the FSB’s System of Operational Investigative Measures (SORM). In this context the restriction on Telegram is likely intended to increase the ability of russian authorities to monitor and restrict the communications of private citizens hostile to the regime.
This comes at a time when the russian Government is proscribing independent media organizations, and disrupting YouTube and the messaging service WhatsApp; measures intended to increase government control over access to media and information in russia.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzes russia’s Scaled-Down Army-2024 Forum in Moscow
