Russia Limits Some Calls on Telegram and WhatsApp

Russian authorities have started restricting certain types of calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, the country’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday, according to Interfax news agency.

Officials said the move is aimed at fighting crime, including extortion and terrorism, after both platforms allegedly ignored requests to block such activity. Other functions of the apps remain available.

The decision comes weeks after President Vladimir Putin signed a law to create a state-backed messaging service connected to government services. Moscow has been pushing to replace foreign platforms with domestic ones, a drive that accelerated after many Western tech firms left Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Meta, which owns WhatsApp, and Telegram have not commented.