Russian mobile operators have been ordered to block the transmission of SMS messages and voice calls used for registration in Telegram and WhatsApp applications, reports Kod Durova, citing a source from the telecom industry.
According to the source, the ban targets third-party companies that manage the sending of confirmation codes and has already begun to be partially applied. This measure is expected to limit the creation of new accounts and make access to existing ones more difficult.
According to Kod Durova, SMS codes from Telegram have already stopped reaching Beeline numbers – the second largest operator in Russia, with 44 million users. In contrast, the codes still reach MTS and MegaFon numbers.
If the measure is fully implemented, registering new Telegram and WhatsApp accounts in Russia could become impossible. For access to existing accounts, users may have to resort to alternative authentication methods – such as codes via email or active sessions on other devices, the publication notes.
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