Russia has delayed enforcement of a new advertising ban on Telegram and YouTube following backlash from lawmakers and the online business community. The regulators said it would implement a grace period through the end of 2026, giving advertisers time to adapt to changing regulations.

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FAS Delays Enforcement of Telegram and YouTube Ad Ban

The clarification by the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) came after reports that the FAS had pursued criminal cases against bloggers who placed ads on the two platforms.

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For brokers, the grace period mainly preserves a critical client‑acquisition funnel while they still have to prepare for a post‑Telegram or YouTube future.

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Many Russian forex and CFD brokers rely on Telegram channels and YouTube influencers for lead generation, education funnels and brand visibility. Suspending enforcement lets them keep running campaigns and partnerships without immediate fine risk, instead of being forced into an abrupt and likely less effective pivot to domestic platforms and offline channels.

The agency said on Wednesday that the complaints were linked to restrictions imposed by the state communications regulator Roskomnadzor, which has progressively limited Telegram’s functions since last year. Previously, there had been no clear indication that advertising on the apps was illegal.

In a statement published on its website, the FAS said businesses “need time to adapt to the new rules and shift to alternative advertising channels.”

The grace period means enforcement actions will be suspended until December 2026, though the agency confirmed that ads on Instagram and Facebook, banned in Russia as “extremist” platforms, remain prohibited. Advertising VPN services also remains illegal.

Early this year, Russia launched a criminal investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov for allegedly abetting terrorist activities, intensifying its standoff with the messaging app and its billionaire creator. State-aligned media have also reported fresh curbs on Telegram’s services inside Russia alongside an official drive to steer users toward a state-backed alternative platform.

Duma Backs Gradual Transition

The advertising dispute comes amid wider moves to tighten state control over digital communications. Telegram, which counts nearly 90 million users in Russia, faces mounting scrutiny.

Authorities accuse the app of being used by criminal networks and foreign intelligence agencies. The FSB is currently investigating Telegram founder Pavel Durov on terrorism-related allegations, and reports earlier this year suggested a potential nationwide ban could follow.

Early this year, Telegram passed 1 billion monthly users, of whom around 450 million use the app every day. According to Magnetto’s Telegram Marketing Report 2025, India accounted for about 100 million downloads in 2024, while both the U.S. and Russia recorded more than 38 million installs each.