Lawmakers in Russia’s State Duma are demanding clarity from state regulators about the alleged illegality of advertising on the messaging platform Telegram. This call for clarification follows a Thursday statement from Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) which suggested that both advertisers and distributors could potentially face legal penalties for placing ads on Telegram. This announcement marks the first official indication that such a ban is being considered, raising concerns in the advertising community.

The FAS's position surfaced amidst reports that criminal charges were being pursued against a Telegram user for purported violations of Russian advertising laws. This has intensified the scrutiny placed on the messaging platform, which has previously faced regulatory challenges from Russian authorities. State media regulator Roskomnadzor indicated its support for the FAS's claims but provided no additional information, leading to further ambiguity around the situation.

Amid this growing uncertainty, State Duma lawmaker Alexander Yushchenko urged Roskomnadzor to clarify its stance regarding the legality of Telegram itself, expressing confusion about whether the service is officially banned. Yushchenko’s remarks reflect broader anxieties about possible restrictions on digital platforms in Russia and the implications this may have for freedom of expression and the advertising industry in the country.