Russia has announced partial restrictions on voice calls through WhatsApp and Telegram, saying it is part of a move to tackle crime. The decision was made public on Wednesday, August 13, through state media.

According to the communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, these foreign apps are now the main tools used for fraud, extortion, and activities considered terrorist or subversive.

Russian officials also claim that Ukraine has been using Telegram to recruit people and organize sabotage inside the country.

The government is demanding that the platforms hand over user data to law enforcement, not only for fraud investigations but also for cases labeled as terrorism. Authorities say the restrictions will be removed once the companies follow Russian laws.

Telegram told AFP it is actively working against abuse of its platform, removing millions of harmful posts daily, including those linked to violence, sabotage, and fraud.

WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has condemned the move, stressing that the app’s end-to-end encryption keeps conversations private and prevents government spying. A spokesperson said Russia is trying to block WhatsApp from more than 100 million people in the country.

Over 100 million Russians depend on WhatsApp for calls and messages, and the company fears the restrictions are meant to push people toward apps that are easier for the government to monitor.

Since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has greatly reduced press freedom and tightened control over online communication.