On December 13, 2024, Roskomnadzor, the Russian federal agency responsible for media supervision and communications, announced the blocking of Viber, one of the most popular messaging services, due to violations of Russian laws. The agency stated the measure was necessary to prevent the misuse of the platform, which has been allegedly exploited for illegal activities such as terrorism and drug trafficking.
The decision follows the agency's assertion of Viber's failure to comply with existing legislation, which sets clear requirements for messaging services operating within the country. "Доступ к сервису Viber ограничен в связи с нарушением требований российского законодательства к организаторам распространения информации, выполнение которых необходимо для предотвращения угроз использования мессенджера в террористических и экстремистских целях..." This statement reflects the serious concerns raised by the authorities about the potential for such platforms to be used for nefarious purposes.
Founded in 2010 by developers from Israel, Viber was successfully launched and later acquired by the Japanese company Rakuten in 2014. Over time, it garnered substantial popularity, with approximately 27% of Russians over the age of 12 utilizing the service regularly, particularly in regions like Ural and Eastern Siberia. Users found it convenient for messaging and calls through the internet, making it one of Russia's leading communication platforms.
Despite its success, Viber has faced mounting legal pressures from the Russian authorities, who began targeting the service for perceived non-compliance as early as June 2023. Viber was fined more than 1.8 million rubles for failing to remove content deemed illegal by Russian standards, including false information related to the Special Military Operation (SMO) and other types of prohibited information.
Addressing the legal framework, the Russian legislation requires messaging service providers to maintain oversight of the content on their platforms. The concept of the "organizer of information dissemination" (OID), introduced back in 2014, mandates these companies to collect and store user data for up to six months and provide it to state security services upon request. With more than 400 entities registered under this law, Viber's inability to comply has become increasingly evident.
Critics argue this move is part of a broader pattern of increasing control over digital communication platforms, as the Russian government seeks to regulate foreign services rigorously. It follows other incidents where platforms like Discord faced bans for similar reasons. Experts, including Anton Nemkin of the State Duma, have argued against Viber's handling of content, stating, "Viber оказался под блокировкой, так как до сих пор имеются нарушения в размещении противоправной информации в мессенджере." Such statements reflect the growing frustrations among policymakers about the vast potential for security threats naturally presented by uncontrolled digital communication.
The blockade has raised questions about the future of digital communication within Russia, particularly for foreign services. With rumors circulating about potential bans on other platforms like Telegram, many consumers are left wondering where they might turn for secure communication. The Russian government has indicated it prefers users to favor domestic messaging applications, which are increasingly being marketed as safer alternatives to their international counterparts.
With Viber now inaccessible, users are exploring new communication channels, and local alternatives are likely to see upticks in downloads and usage. Recent months have already shown a trend of Russian authorities pushing for localization and control of digital services, positioning companies compliant with local laws as favorable options.
This latest action against Viber demonstrates the Russian government's commitment to regulating information dissemination within its borders rigorously. While users mourn the loss of yet another international platform, the government emphasizes the importance of security and legal compliance. The shift marks yet another chapter in the long-standing dance between digital innovation and governmental regulation in the constantly changing tech ecosystem.