Authorities in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya regions have blocked access to the Telegram messaging app, citing security concerns, state news agency TASS reported on Saturday.
The decision follows fears that the platform could be used by hostile actors, according to Dagestan’s digital development minister, Yuri Gamzatov.
“It (Telegram) is often used by enemies, an example of which is the riots at the Makhachkala airport,” Gamzatov said, referencing an anti-Israel riot in October 2023.
During the incident, hundreds of protesters stormed the airport after reports on Telegram about an incoming flight from Israel, though no passengers were harmed. Russian authorities have since prosecuted several individuals involved.
Telegram, founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov and based in Dubai, has nearly 1 billion users worldwide and is widely used in Russia and neighboring countries.
Moscow previously attempted to ban the platform in 2018 and has sought access to user data. The company did not immediately comment on the latest restrictions.
Gamzatov suggested Telegram could be unblocked in the future but advised users to switch to alternative messaging services for now.