On December 13, Viber users across Russia reported significant disruptions, but this time it was revealed to be due to deliberate action from the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor), rather than simple temporary technical glitches. According to Roskomnadzor, blocking access to Viber was deemed necessary to prevent the app from being used for terrorist activities, recruitment for extremism, the sale of illegal drugs, and the dissemination of unlawful content.
The General Prosecutor's Office had previously uncovered instances of content on Viber aimed at destabilizing the social and political situation within Russia, which added urgency to these measures. Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma's Committee on Information Policy, noted, "The total fines imposed over the past two years have exceeded 1.8 million rubles, and the company has yet to pay them." This growing list of fines stems from multiple breaches, including failing to remove false information related to the Special Military Operation (SVO) within Russia.
While Viber may not command the same popularity among Russians as it does among Belarusians, the news of its blockage is stirring fears and unrest. Observers have reported decentralized blocking strategies; users in various regions experienced different outage durations. Some had been unable to access Viber for several days before it stopped working altogether, whereas others continued to use it seemingly without interruption.
Notably, the disruptions coincided with user reports about WhatsApp. Starting December 9, speculation about potential shutdowns of the app sent ripples of concern through Russian communities. By December 11, many residents, particularly those from the Bryansk region and Moscow, encountered severe outages—ranging from file sending failures to inability to make voice calls. Although the WhatsApp developers clarified later on, stating, "WhatsApp will continue to function on Android 5.0 and the latest versions," many users remain unsettled.
Industry experts point to these events as indicative of growing tensions between Russian authorities and popular messaging platforms. "It's clear villains can utilize any medium for communication, but the responsibility for ensuring transparency and compliance lies with the platforms themselves," explained one analyst. The increasing penalties imposed on Viber and the potential future of WhatsApp have raised alarm bells about the stability of communication tools across Russia.
Previously, Viber faced fines after the Moscow court enforced one million rubles as punishment for postings of misleading information about the SVO, highlighting the tough stance taken by local authorities on online communication. Following these episodes, the expert concluded, "If the experiment succeeds, then I believe the fates of Viber, WhatsApp, and even Telegram could soon follow suit with similar regulatory pressures. People are concerned their only means of connection, particularly for the elderly who depend on these apps for contact, may be seriously impacted."
The situation with Viber shook the online community, characterized by the swift changes and how traditional users are gradually being pushed toward alternative platforms. A considerable part of the Russian population uses Viber, evidenced by its reach to 26% of individuals aged over twelve, making the consequences of these disruptions particularly relevant.
Looking closer at the Viber ecosystem, the application has emerged as a preferred option for many, leading to the tragic potential of displacement for users who rely heavily on it. The expert mentioned, "Those who recently adapted to using Viber might find their connections severed almost overnight, and one can only hope they will transition smoothly to other messaging platforms."
With the tightening grip of Roskomnadzor and the looming specter of bans, it is clear the issue is far from confined to Viber alone. The cautionary tales of these popular messaging apps, including the increasing outages and disruptions, present challenges for users eager to stay connected.
It’s apparent now more than ever—if these platforms ignore regulatory demands, the ramifications could ripple far beyond mere fines. Telegram and WhatsApp may face similar fates if trend lines continue, pressuring both users and communication during ever-changing geopolitical landscapes.
