Dagestan Archives

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Telegram and WhatsApp* are blocked by authorities in southern Russia.

Users of WhatsApp and Telegram in southern Russia are facing significant disruptions due to government-imposed restrictions aimed at combating criminal activities associated with these messaging platforms. The state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, confirmed partial restrictions on October 22, citing misuse of the platforms for extortion and illegal recruitment. Outages began on October 20, primarily affecting southern regions like Krasnodar Krai and Volgograd, and complaints spread to 34 regions by October 21 and 22. Data from DownDetector showed a peak in complaints about Telegram outages on October 22, particularly in Volgograd, while WhatsApp issues began early that day and peaked around noon. Historically, access to Telegram has faced challenges in Dagestan, where it was effectively blocked following law enforcement recommendations, a situation acknowledged by regional officials only months later.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Messaging app Telegram blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya regions

The messaging app Telegram has been blocked in Russia's Dagestan and Chechnya regions due to security concerns, as announced by Dagestan's digital development minister, Yuri Gamzatov. The decision followed recommendations from law enforcement agencies, particularly in response to unrest at Makhachkala airport earlier this year. Since early 2024, users in parts of the North Caucasus have faced service disruptions on Telegram, and Gamzatov suggested considering the VK messenger as an alternative. The unrest at Makhachkala airport on October 29, 2023, was caused by a flight arrival from Israel, leading to mass riots that resulted in over 24 million rubles in damages and injuries to 23 officials.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Dagestan, Chechnya block Telegram messaging app

Authorities in Russia's Dagestan and Chechnya have banned the messaging app Telegram, citing concerns over its content moderation policies and the proliferation of extremist content. This decision is part of a broader trend of increasing governmental control over online communications in the region. Anton Nemkin from the State Duma expressed that Telegram's lax moderation poses a threat to public safety, and local official Gamzatov indicated there may be potential for the app's reinstatement in the future. The Russian government has previously blocked other messaging services like Signal and is considering actions against WhatsApp, while access to platforms like YouTube has also been restricted. Additionally, Telegram has faced scrutiny outside Russia, including a ban for officials in Ukraine due to national security concerns linked to its founder Pavel Durov.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Telegram messaging app blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya

The Telegram messaging app has been restricted in Dagestan and Chechnya due to concerns over its use by individuals considered "enemies" of the state. Dagestan's Minister of Digitalisation, Yuri Gamzatov, linked the app to incidents of unrest, such as at Makhachkala airport, and called for improved content moderation. Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma's Committee on Information Policy, supported the blocking to prevent coordination of civil disturbances, citing its role in recent unrest. Authorities in Dagestan suggested that the ban on Telegram could be lifted in the future.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Two Russian regions block Telegram app over security fears

Authorities in Dagestan and Chechnya have blocked the Telegram messenger service due to concerns about its misuse by adversarial elements. This decision was announced by Yuri Gamzatov, Dagestan's digital development minister, following riots at Makhachkala airport linked to an anti-Israel demonstration in October 2023, which was fueled by information spread on Telegram. The unrest led to multiple prosecutions, but no injuries were reported. Telegram has condemned the violence and plans to block channels that promoted antisemitic content. Founded by Pavel Durov, Telegram has nearly 1 billion users and has faced previous challenges, including a failed ban in 2018. Gamzatov suggested that the ban could be lifted in the future, advising users to consider alternative messaging platforms during the restriction.