Russia claims that WhatsApp and Telegram are used to deceive and extort money, involving Russian citizens in illegal activities. The country has also banned Meta.

Roskomnadzor, Russia's media and internet regulator, said that "in order to counteract criminals," measures were being taken to restrict voice calls on the messaging services. The

Russian authorities have announced partial restrictions on calls in messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp. This is part of a long-standing effort to control the internet.