⚡️ Telegram slowdown reported in St. Petersburg
Internet providers in St. Petersburg have begun slowing down Telegram, causing users to experience long delays or complete failures when sending voice messages, images, and videos. 📱
A source from the telecom market told Rotonda that Roskomnadzor began implementing the slowdown earlier in the day. Providers cannot influence the process, as it is carried out via a software system installed at each company. According to the source, the restrictions affect only media uploads, which is why voice messages, photos, and videos now take much longer to load. ⏳
City authorities in St. Petersburg have also acknowledged the slowdown. The Committee for Property Relations stated on its channel that “Roskomnadzor plans to begin restricting Telegram’s operation.” The post was later edited to say that Telegram’s performance had deteriorated. 🛠️
Back in August, Roskomnadzor restricted calls on Telegram and WhatsApp*. Later, message sending on WhatsApp* was completely blocked. A Rotonda source believes Telegram could follow the same path. ⚠️
* Meta is recognized as an extremist organization and is banned in the Russian Federation.
[⚠️ Context — Roskomnadzor uses state-mandated deep packet inspection (DPI) equipment installed at telecom operators to selectively throttle or block online services without court orders or public notices. Telegram has a long history of technical cat-and-mouse with regulators after a failed full ban in 2018–2020.
⚠️ Why it matters — Telegram is Russia’s primary platform for news, official communication, and emergency information, especially in major cities. Targeted slowdowns signal a shift from blunt bans to granular control, increasing uncertainty for users, media outlets, and businesses that depend on the app.]
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