Rumors circulating in some Russian media claim that new steps were launched on March 21 to erase Russian accounts on WhatsApp and Telegram. A careful check shows this is not true. The social information site reviewed official statements from both messaging platforms and confirms there has been no recent policy shift that targets Russians specifically or changes how accounts are removed.
On WhatsApp, guidance explains how inactivity is handled. Normally an account is considered inactive after 120 days of no activity, defined as the user not opening or engaging with the app. This policy helps protect user data and frees up active phone numbers when they are not in use.
There are situations where an account may be flagged for deletion sooner, especially when a phone number changes ownership. If a number is no longer linked to its original owner because another person uses the device, WhatsApp may remove the data tied to the old account. Practically, this can affect a profile photo and other details saved under that number, ensuring the number is not misrepresented or misused by someone else.
WhatsApp emphasizes that this approach is not new and is applied across all regions where the service operates. The protocol is not tied to any country or geography and is not meant to disadvantage any particular user group. In Canada and the United States alike, the same rules apply to keep numbers correctly linked to current owners and to prevent confusion over account ownership.
Telegram, the other widely used messenger, offers two pathways for account deletion. A user can manually delete their own account at any time, or the service can automatically remove an account after a period of inactivity. The default inactivity period for Telegram is six months, after which the account is scheduled for deletion if no action is taken by the user. This automated cleanup helps protect user privacy and reduces the chances of forgotten accounts lingering in the system.
When discussing these platforms, it is important to distinguish policy notes from rumor. Official sources show that WhatsApp and Telegram maintain consistent, well-documented rules regarding inactive accounts and ownership changes. There is no indication of a sudden, region-specific change that would lead to mass deletions on a particular date or targets based on nationality. For users in North America, the best practice remains to stay active or to update service information if there is a switch in device or SIM card ownership.
Historically, there have been moments when policy debates and regulatory changes created headlines about messenger services, but the core operating rules described above are the ones currently in force. These align with broader aims of protecting user data, maintaining the accuracy of contact information, and ensuring profiles reflect the person who rightfully owns a phone number.
In summary, there is no credible evidence of new global deletions aimed at Russians or any other specific nationality. WhatsApp and Telegram continue to rely on clear inactivity thresholds, ownership verification practices, and user-driven or time-driven account management that applies across countries including the United States and Canada. For anyone relying on these platforms, staying informed through official support pages and trusted technology news sources is the best way to understand any future changes as they are announced by the companies themselves.
Attribution: information summarized from official WhatsApp and Telegram support policies and statements available to users in North America and around the world. The descriptions above reflect how these platforms handle inactive accounts and ownership changes, and are not indicative of any new regional rule changes.