Although it remains unknown as to why they did not ban Signal and Zoom, Russia has long attempted to control social media within its borders. Russia has been attempting to ban telegram since 2018; Telegram’s CEO claimed the Russian government planned to ban Telegram unless they handed over sensitive data and access to encrypted messages. The problem has become a larger issue for Russia since they invaded Ukraine in February of last year. The invasion sparked a large hacktivist moment on both sides of the conflict. Groups have taken to encrypted messaging services to leak sensitive data for both Ukrainian and Russian organizations, government entities, and military locations and information. Now it seems Putin’s administration is tightening its grip on social media as the war continues with no end in sight.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/russia-bans-foreign-messaging-apps-in-government-organizations/
