On September 13, 2023, Russia's telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced the blocking of the Viber messaging app across the entire territory of the country. This significant action was taken due to the app's alleged violations of Russian laws governing the distribution of information.
According to Roskomnadzor, the decision to restrict access to Viber was driven by concerns about the platform being used for various illegal activities. These include terrorism, extremist recruitment, drug trafficking, and the dissemination of prohibited information. The official statement released on Roskomnadzor's Telegram channel outlined the agency's commitment to upholding the country's laws and preventing potential threats associated with the misuse of the messaging app.
Viber, developed by the global company Rakuten and boasting over 1.2 billion users as of 2024, is among the most popular messaging apps worldwide. Within Russia, it ranks as the third most used app of its kind, trailing only behind WhatsApp and Telegram, with approximately 26% of the Russian population reportedly using the service.
The blocking of Viber is not the app's first encounter with regulatory scrutiny. Over recent years, Viber has faced mounting fines for non-compliance with Russian legislation. Reports indicate the total amount of fines imposed on Viber has exceeded 1.8 million rubles (roughly $17,000). Specifically, Roskomnadzor noted the app's failure to remove illegal content, including sensitive information related to Russia's military operations.
The poplarity of Viber has reportedly made it attractive for criminal activities. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the app's role in destabilizing the situation within the country. Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma's Committee on Information Policy and Information Technologies, emphasized these concerns, highlighting the nature of prohibited activities facilitated through Viber.
Prior to this latest ban, Viber had been restricted within certain regions, such as the self-proclaimed republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, due to its perceived role as both a tool for psychological warfare and the distribution of malware.
The recent developments reflect a broader trend of restrictions against foreign messaging applications in Russia, especially following the onset of military conflicts. Russian authorities have systematically blocked several foreign apps, including the popular platforms Discord and Instagram, which have been similarly accused of facilitating illegal communication.
With Viber now locked out of the Russian digital skyline, users are left searching for alternatives. Apps like Telegram and Skype are currently accessible and provide similar functionality for messaging and calling, ensuring users still have options for communication, albeit on different platforms.
Looking forward, it remains unclear when or if Viber will resolve its issues with Roskomnadzor and regain access to the Russian market. The future for Viber’s operations here hinges on regulatory negotiations and compliance with the stringent laws being enforced by Russian authorities.
For now, the ban highlights the increasing tension between international tech services and regulatory frameworks as authorities tighten their grip on digital communications and act decisively against platforms they deem dangerous.