We demand an end to the restriction of Russian citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of information and communication

Decision by the Yabloko Bureau, 21.04.2026

Since February 2026, Roskomnadzor (the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media) has been systematically degrading the functioning of Telegram, one of the most important communication platforms. WhatsApp and the video-hosting service YouTube were blocked at an earlier stage. The government is seriously discussing the blocking of AI resources that many Russians use for work and everyday tasks. Large-scale Internet outages are being recorded across the country.

By introducing restrictions and threatening outright bans, the authorities are depriving dozens of millions of citizens of access to sources of information and reliable, affordable communication with family and their loved ones, as well as the ability to communicate in emergencies.

Almost everything needed for normal life today depends on the Internet: work and study chats, running a business, accessing services, leisure and entertainment, and information about the country and the world.

All of this is being placed under threat by the actions of the authorities under the pretexts of “security” and “combating fraud”.

Instead of fighting crime, the authorities are blocking citizens’ means of communication, thereby restricting our rights to privacy, information, and communication.

We understand that in the context of the tragic conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the dangers posed to citizens by drone strikes, localised restrictions on Internet and mobile connectivity may be necessary. But localised restrictions only — strictly limited in time and geography, to where and when a genuine danger arises.

The authorities’ desire to use these pretexts to ban Telegram and WhatsApp outright has nothing to do with security.

It is about throwing the country back a quarter of a century, to the era of payphones, pagers, and fax machines.

It is about state control over our correspondence and browsing.

It is about censorship and coercion into switching to MAX, the state-owned “national messenger,” which offers no protection for the privacy of correspondence or personal life.

The order to ban messaging apps comes from those who live in the past and do not use the Internet themselves — for whom the internal communications network with their subordinates and folders of reports confirming that everything is going smoothly and to plan are quite sufficient. And these bans are carried out by those who trawl social media for sedition instead of catching real criminals.

We are categorically opposed to Russia becoming a dictatorship in the mould of North Korea, where citizens are deprived of freedom of information.

We demand that the Russian authorities cease their violation of Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely seek, receive, transmit, produce, and disseminate information.

We demand an end to the throttling and blocking of the Telegram and WhatsApp messaging apps, and the restoration of their normal functioning.

We have no intention of surrendering our rights to freedom of information and privacy in exchange for an illusion of security, and we will defend them by every lawful means.

Yabloko will contest the State Duma elections in part to secure a mandate from citizens to fight for the lifting of restrictions on communications and the Internet.

Communication and information are our right, not a privilege granted at the discretion of the authorities.

Join Yabloko’s appeal, sign it and share it on social media, in chats, at school and at work, and send it to family, neighbours, and friends.

We invite all those who stand for a free Internet to join Yabloko: volunteer at the elections and take part in the election campaign.

The formation of a Yabloko faction in the State Duma would be a real step towards freedom and respect for the human dignity of Russia’s citizens.

Only by standing together can we achieve results.

Yabloko stands for freedom of communication!

Yabloko stands for a free Internet!