Signal blocked in Russia for violating anti-terrorism laws

Russia’s state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to the encrypted messaging app Signal, citing violations related to anti-terrorist laws.
Reasons for the Block
- Violation of Laws: Roskomnadzor announced that Signal was blocked for not complying with Russian legislation aimed at preventing the use of messaging apps for terrorist and extremist activities.
- User Impact: Signal users in Russia reported issues accessing the app, with over 1,500 complaints from Moscow and St Petersburg. However, the app remained functional for some users through VPNs or censorship bypass modes.
Reactions and Observations
- Technical Issues: Reports suggest that Signal’s blocking is specific to Russia, not a technical issue on the app’s side. Users outside Russia or those using VPNs could still access the service.
- Account Registration Problems: Users have been unable to register new accounts on Signal without using a VPN, with error messages displayed when attempting to enter mobile numbers.
Context
- Previous Blocks: This is the first instance of Signal being blocked in Russia. In 2018, Russia began blocking Telegram, which led to interruptions but did not significantly affect its availability.