Telegram Faces New Restrictions and Fines in Russia – Feb 2026 Update

Telegram Faces New Restrictions and Fines in Russia – Latest Updates February 10, 2026

Russian authorities announced strict new measures against the Telegram messaging app on February 10, 2026. According to the state news agency RIA, Moscow courts have filed eight administrative cases against Telegram, each carrying fines of up to 8 million rubles, totaling 64 million rubles (approximately $830,000). The cases allege that Telegram failed to remove prohibited content as required by Russian law, while one case specifically accuses the platform of not monitoring and restricting access to banned materials. The first hearings for these cases are scheduled for February 11, 2026.

These actions are based on new legal requirements. Seven of the cases cite violations of the Administrative Code, requiring the company to remove banned content, with fines ranging from 3 to 8 million rubles per violation. The eighth case accuses Telegram of repeated failure to monitor content, also carrying fines of 4 to 8 million rubles. Non-payment of fines may lead to additional measures, such as account freezes or extended restrictions, though currently, the announced penalties are primarily financial.

Government Position and Justification

The Russian government stated that these measures are necessary for law enforcement and public safety. The federal communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, said that some foreign messaging services, including Telegram, fail to comply with Russian laws, do not adequately protect personal data, and provide opportunities for fraud and terrorist activity. Officials explained, “Compliance with the law has not yet occurred, citizens’ data is not fully protected, and criminal or terrorist activities continue. Therefore, restrictions are being imposed to ensure adherence to legal provisions and protect the public.”

Senior officials have described non-cooperating foreign apps as a national security threat. According to Interfax, Roskomnadzor partially restricted calling services on these messengers, while the Ministry of Digital Development warned that full compliance could result in lifting some restrictions. President Putin has publicly supported domestically developed messaging apps to reduce reliance on foreign technology.

Telegram’s Response

Telegram has not yet issued an official statement regarding this latest decision. However, in previous cases, the company denied such allegations and stated that it actively removes harmful content, monitoring millions of messages daily. Last year, Telegram noted it had no offices or assets in Russia, which complicated the enforcement of prior fines, and courts eventually dismissed those fines due to lack of seizable assets.

Experts and Human Rights Criticism

Experts and human rights organizations have expressed concern over increasing internet control in Russia. Human Rights Watch reported that the government has developed more tools to block opposition voices online. The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that these Telegram restrictions and new laws effectively legalize nationwide internet shutdowns. Freedom House highlighted that over the past fifteen years, Russia has seen the sharpest decline in internet freedom, a direct result of government control and wartime policies.

Context of Internet Control

These latest actions against Telegram are part of a broader strategy where the Russian government has established digital borders. Since last year, Roskomnadzor has limited calling services on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing terrorism and fraud concerns. Parliament is also drafting legislation granting authorities the power to shut down the internet nationwide if needed. Experts consider this a move to strengthen state control while promoting domestic alternatives to foreign services. In this context, the new fines and restrictions give the government more influence over social media while limiting independent media.

Potential Impact

Telegram serves as a major source of news and communication in Russia, and these restrictions are expected to affect both regular users and freedom of communication. Experts warn that fines may push users toward VPNs and other bypass tools, while opposition voices and independent journalism may face further suppression. Although some state officials insist that a complete shutdown of Telegram is not planned, the ongoing fines raise doubts. Overall, these measures are likely to negatively impact digital freedom in Russia and affect the country’s international reputation regarding internet governance.