Residents in several Russian cities staged demonstrations on 7 September 2025 against tightening controls on online communication, voicing frustration over blocked calls on WhatsApp and Telegram and months-long disruptions to mobile internet in regions such as Omsk. Protesters gathered in Novosibirsk, Omsk and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to demand free access to digital platforms and oppose the rollout of the state-backed messenger “Max” that activists denounce as a surveillance tool.
Mounting Discontent With Government Controls
The demonstrations followed weeks of growing tension. On 4 September, residents of Voronezh rallied against restrictions and the forced promotion of Max. Protesters said bans on voice and video calls in established apps amount to a violation of the constitutional right to free communication. Many stressed that older citizens and families relying on these services to stay connected were hit hardest by the measures.
Anger at Surveillance and New Legal Penalties
Civil society groups and activists argued that Max is designed to collect and share personal data with Russian security agencies, citing its privacy policy that allows data transfers to the FSB and Interior Ministry. They also criticized new legislation that introduces administrative liability for searching so-called “extremist” material and for advertising VPN services, warning that it paves the way for criminal penalties against attempts to bypass censorship.
A Test for Civic Rights
Although the latest rallies proceeded without police intervention, participants described the protests as a warning that further curbs on information could spark wider unrest. Organizers framed the gatherings as a defense of free expression, access to information and the right to choose digital tools. Activists stressed that beyond opposing censorship, Russians must now fight for broader social and economic rights linked to freedom of speech and online access.
