Is it possible to block instant messengers?

Russian authorities have decided to tighten control over messengers. According to Vedomosti and Interfax , Roskomnadzor has prepared a bill that obliges companies like Skype, WhatsApp and Telegram to enter into contracts with Russian telecom operators, notify Roskomnadzor about their work, identify users and block messages that violate laws. In addition, the authorities are going to oblige instant messengers to send messages to users if required by the authorities. If the service does not comply with legal requirements, it will be blocked. According to the head of Roskomnadzor, Alexander Zharov, the same restrictions should be introduced for instant messengers as for telecom operators.

There are many of them. Zharov cites restrictions on mass mailings as an example, but the Law “On Communications” also mentions others - in particular, the obligation of telecom operators (Rostelecom, Beeline, Megafon, MTS and others) to cooperate with intelligence services and law enforcement agencies during “operational search activities.”

We don't know. The document states that these are “information and communication services that provide services for the transmission of text, voice and graphic messages that are technologically inextricably linked with communication services provided by third parties on the data networks of telecom operators.” Experts interviewed by Vedomosti believe that not only instant messengers, but also social networks fall under this formulation.

It is not known exactly. Zharov says there are two reasons: fighting spam and ensuring state security. As an example, he cited a case when in November a false message about impending terrorist attacks was distributed on the WhatsApp messenger. An anonymous Vedomosti expert claims that they want to regulate services because of the “difficult geopolitical situation”; the initiator of the new norm is the Kremlin. The Kremlin denies involvement in the bill, but the version about the “geopolitical situation” sounds quite plausible: the new military doctrine states that the authorities will “reduce the risks of the possible use of information and communication technologies for military purposes.” Among the “internal dangers” the doctrine mentions “information impact on the population, primarily on young citizens...”. The introduction of a blocking mechanism for instant messengers - similar to what is currently in effect for social networks - fits well with the current policy on Internet control.

Social networks are included in the register of information dissemination organizers. All participants in this register are required to store information about the actions and correspondence of their users, provide it upon request to security authorities and notify Roskomnadzor about their work. Those who do not comply are blocked. In December 2014, Facebook and VKontakte, at the request of Roskomnadzor, blocked the pages of the campaign in support of Alexei Navalny - otherwise the authorities could completely block the services.

Can. A good example is China. Last summer, he blocked the messengers KakaoTalk and Line, explaining this by the fight against terrorism.

In terms of blocking messengers, it’s possible. The views of Russian and Chinese authorities on the Internet as a source of security threats are largely similar . Recently, the countries entered into an agreement on cooperation in this area and decided to exchange experience and technologies.

Theoretically, yes. Blocking a messenger means blocking the servers through which traffic flows during correspondence. Perhaps companies will simply release new versions of applications with addresses of new, unblocked servers. Or they will use a system in which these addresses will change constantly.

Theoretically, yes. Most instant messengers store correspondence in unencrypted form; they can provide it at the request of intelligence agencies. But there is an OTR (Off-the-record) protocol, which encrypts messages on the side of both interlocutors. This protocol is supported, for example, by Tor Messenger . Telegram has its own development - secret chats.