WhatsApp, Telegram operations in Russia partially restricted - telecom watchdog

MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax) - The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) is partially blocking access to the WhatsApp and Telegram messengers in Russia as part of counter-crime measures, the Roskomnadzor press service said in a statement.

"Measures are being taken to partially restrict the operations of foreign messengers based on law enforcement agencies' materials for the purpose of countering criminals," the statement said, commenting on problems with access to the WhatsApp and Telegram messengers in the south of Russia.

"According to law enforcement agencies' information and multiple reports from citizens, the Telegram and WhatsApp foreign messengers have become the main services used for the purpose of fraud and extortion, for drawing Russian citizens into sabotage and terrorist activities," it said.

"The demands repeatedly sent to the messengers' owners to take countermeasures have been ignored," the statement said.

The Roskomnadzor press service said on August 13 calls via the Telegram and WhatsApp messengers were being "partially restricted" in Russia in accordance with law enforcement agencies' materials to counter criminals.