Moscow Judge Tosses WhatsApp Users’ Class Action Lawsuit Against Roskomnadzor

A Moscow judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit brought by WhatsApp and Telegram users against Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state media regulator, and the Digital Development Ministry. The lawsuit argued that government restrictions on voice and video calls on the two messaging apps violated constitutional rights to freedom of information and communication privacy. However, the Tagansky District Court ruled that activist Konstantin Larionov, the lead plaintiff, failed to demonstrate he was authorized to represent the interests of WhatsApp and Telegram users.

Larionov and dozens of co-plaintiffs filed the suit in December 2023, following Roskomnadzor’s August 2023 decision to block calls on the apps as part of an anti-fraud initiative, a move criticized by both companies. Plaintiffs pointed to Central Bank data indicating that traditional phone calls and texts are more frequently used in fraud schemes than messaging apps.

Larionov, who previously worked on Boris Nadezhdin’s presidential campaign, intends to appeal the ruling, characterizing Roskomnadzor’s restrictions as “politically motivated.” He emphasized that the plaintiffs are “ordinary Russian citizens” frustrated by the limitations on messaging app calls. The Moscow Times also notes its own challenges as an “undesirable” organization facing pressure from the Russian government.

(Source：The Moscow Times)