Signal Messaging App Faces Disruptions in Russia, Users Report VPN Workaround

On Friday, a wave of disruptions swept through the Signal messaging app, impacting hundreds of users across Russia. This secure communications platform, favored by nearly a million Russians for its encryption capabilities, faced over 1,500 complaints, predominantly from residents in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

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Interestingly, users discovered that the app functioned seamlessly when accessed through a VPN or when utilizing its built-in censorship bypass mode. Mikhail Klimarev, a prominent figure behind the Telegram channel “For Telecom,” suggested that these issues point to a deliberate blocking of the messenger within Russia, rather than a technical malfunction on Signal’s part.

Attempts to reach Signal for a comment on the situation went unanswered, as did inquiries directed at Roskomnadzor, the Russian internet regulatory authority. Reports from three individuals in Moscow and the Krasnodar region indicated that creating a new Signal account was impossible without a VPN, as the app displayed a “Server Error” message when users tried to register with their mobile numbers.

Klimarev noted that this incident marks a significant first attempt to obstruct the messenger service in Russia, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding digital communication and censorship in the region.

How do you know if you re blocked on signal on iphone?

If you're blocked on Signal on iPhone, several indicators can suggest this. You may no longer see the contact's profile picture or status updates. Sending messages to the person might show a single check mark (message sent) but never display a second check mark (message delivered). Calls to the individual may not connect. However, these signs are not definitive proof of being blocked, as they could also be due to network issues or the contact's settings.

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