Both platforms had their run-ins with the Russian authorities in the past. The Kremlin tried to block Telegram between 2018-20 but failed. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the government blocked major social media like Facebook and Instagram, and outlawed their parent company, Meta, that also owns WhatsApp, as extremist.

Russia has started restricting some Telegram and WhatsApp calls, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of failing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases, the digital development ministry said on Wednesday.

Russia is restricting calls via the foreign messaging services WhatsApp and Telegram, allegedly to defend against terrorists and fraudsters. The Russian telecommunications authority Roskomnadzor stated in Moscow on Wednesday that there were restrictions on voice calls.