If your mobile internet in Moscow was working intermittently or not at all last week, you’re not alone. Since March 6, residents of Russia’s capital have been massively complaining about connectivity issues, while couriers, taxi drivers, and retailers have been counting their losses. And now it’s become clear what it was all leading to: white lists of websites have been activated in Moscow — a mysterious system that has left millions of people without working internet on their phones, with traffic only being allowed through to approved resources.
What is the internet white list, and how does it work?
What Are Mobile Internet White Lists
The principle behind the “white list” is simple and at the same time radical. While regular blocking (or a “black list”) prohibits access to specific sites while leaving everything else open, a “white list” works exactly the opposite way — everything is forbidden except what is explicitly allowed. Simply put, you can only access those resources that have made it onto the approved list. Everything else simply doesn’t load.
According to three sources from Kommersant in the telecom market, this is exactly the kind of system now operating in Moscow for mobile internet. One of the publication’s sources noted that previously the system was working intermittently or not functioning at all, but now it has started working “fully.” Another source clarified that the “white lists” are working partially, since base stations are still shut down in some areas.
A Kommersant correspondent confirmed that in the Moscow metro, mobile internet is already operating under the “white list” system. This means access is available, but far from the full familiar range of services and websites.
The metro now has internet, but using it as before is no longer possible — only approved resources are accessible.
Why Mobile Internet Isn’t Working in Moscow
Problems with mobile internet and connectivity in the capital began on March 6, 2026. As Kommersant previously reported, the restrictions were introduced for “security reasons.” Telecom operators were given orders to restrict mobile internet operations in certain districts of the city, and for the same reason, connectivity issues could arise overall.
The details of exactly what security threats caused this have not been publicly disclosed. However, the very fact of transitioning from complete shutdown to “white lists” suggests that authorities are seeking a compromise: not to completely deprive people of connectivity, while still controlling exactly what data passes through mobile networks.
White lists restrict internet
Telecom operators are remaining silent for now. Vympelkom, Megafon, and T2 declined to comment. MTS had not responded at the time of publication. Kommersant also sent an inquiry to Roskomnadzor. Some base stations in certain Moscow districts are still shut down, so “white lists” are not even the worst-case scenario.
What Doesn’t Work Without Internet in Moscow
A week of connectivity disruptions hit Moscow businesses quite tangibly. According to expert estimates, the cumulative damage over five days amounted to 3 to 5 billion rubles. The sum is impressive but logical if you consider which services today depend on mobile internet.
Among the hardest-hit industries are courier services, taxis, car-sharing, and retail. The thing is, all these businesses critically depend on constant mobile connectivity. A courier without internet can’t see the order or the route. A taxi driver doesn’t receive ride requests. A car-sharing vehicle won’t unlock without the app. And retail outlets lose the ability to accept cashless payments if the terminal operates through the mobile network.
Just imagine what it’s like for couriers right now
For ordinary Muscovites, the consequences are noticeable too. Messengers, navigation, mobile banking, streaming services — everything we’ve grown accustomed to like air could turn out to be unavailable if the resource didn’t make it onto the “white list.” This is not at all the same as a bad signal in the metro: the internet is technically there, but it’s essentially “castrated.” And for couriers, a week without stable internet became a real survival quest — try finding an address without a navigator.
How White Lists Affect the Internet
In practice, a “white list” means roughly the following: when you connect to mobile internet, your traffic passes through a filter. If you try to open a site or service from the approved list — everything works. If not — the page simply doesn’t load. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi connections at home or in the office generally work in normal mode; the restrictions apply specifically to mobile networks.
Which specific resources made it onto the “white list” has not been officially announced. But typically in such cases, it involves government services, major domestic platforms like the national messenger MAX, and resources related to critical infrastructure: banking, government services, and essential navigation and transportation services.
The main question on everyone’s mind: how long will this last? So far, no official statements about timelines have been made. But the transition itself from complete mobile internet shutdown to operating via “white lists” can be seen as a step toward normalization. Albeit with significant caveats.
The habit of checking social media on the go now requires first checking whether that social network made it onto the coveted list. The situation in Moscow has clearly demonstrated how dependent a modern city is on mobile internet. Billions of rubles in losses within just a few days, paralyzed delivery and taxi services — all of this is the price of even a partial shutdown. “White lists” brought connectivity back, but in a truncated form, and for now all we can do is wait for the restrictions to be fully lifted.
