Telegram Block Accidentally Takes Down WhatsApp Too?

WhatsApp outage lasted just hours, but sparked massive public outcry over Roskomnadzor's blocking methods.

The immediate suspicion arose that Roskomnadzor was once again blocking Telegram, while inadvertently taking down unrelated companies—even state services—in the process.

Mikhail raises a logical concern: what if emergency services like the EMERCOM call center get blocked during such operations? It's entirely possible. Roskomnadzor countered that they had nothing to do with the WhatsApp outage, dismissing reports from social media as mere rumors they never discuss.

The media outlet Meduza decided to investigate by checking WhatsApp's IP addresses on Roskomnadzor's public registry. Several had been blocked for a few hours, each marked as restricted by decision of Russia's General Prosecutor's Office—the same legal basis used when blocking millions of Telegram addresses. The WhatsApp blockade lasted just over an hour, yet it triggered widespread angry comments across social networks. The irony is palpable: efforts to restrict Telegram have failed for months, becoming a running joke. But when services unrelated to Telegram are disrupted, public fury erupts.

Rachel Denber, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, notes that her organization has closely monitored Russia since 2012—when authorities began restricting internet access. Within five years, 15 new laws were enacted further limiting information access online. Denber believes this is simply Russia's way of controlling society. While she acknowledges that preventing terrorist platforms is important, she insists such crude methods are unworkable in the modern world. The Telegram blocking saga proves her absolutely right.

Thirty days of messenger blocks have disrupted nearly every Russian internet user. Social media connections dropped, email became inaccessible, and messaging apps were unreliable—not just Telegram. Journalists couldn't rapidly share information since communication tools like Viber, WhatsApp, and even Facebook Messenger were frequently unavailable that month.