Russia has started restricting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing concerns over their use of encrypted messaging. The move is part of Moscow’s efforts to gain more control over internet usage in the country. According to the Russian government, the popular foreign-owned apps are used for “deceit and extortion”. However, Meta claims this is a ploy by Russia to push users towards less secure services that would allow government surveillance. This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia’s desire for greater online control and the need for user privacy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/08/14/russia-block-whatsapp-telegram-ban