• Russia restricts calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, accusing them of failing to cooperate with law enforcement.
• The digital development ministry indicates measures will remain until platforms comply with local laws.
• Issues with call quality have been reported since restrictions began on August 11.
• WhatsApp claims the action undermines secure communication for over 100 million Russian users.
• The Russian government plans to promote a state-backed messaging app to reduce reliance on foreign platforms.

Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has announced it is restricting voice calls on popular messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp. The government accuses these foreign-owned apps of failing to share information with law enforcement agencies relevant to fraud and terrorism investigations, indicating that only the calling functions are affected while other messaging features remain operational, according to aa, africanews, and scmp.

The restrictions, in effect since August 11, have resulted in significant disruptions to call quality, leaving users with distorted sound and frequent dropped calls on both platforms. This move is part of Russia's broader strategy to exert control over its internet infrastructure amid ongoing tensions with foreign tech companies, especially following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reports aljazeera and indiatimes.

According to the Russian digital development ministry, the ongoing restrictions will be lifted only if WhatsApp and Telegram comply with Russian laws, including establishing local legal entities and providing data access to law enforcement. These requirements reflect a pattern of increased governmental oversight over technology and data, commonly described as a push for 'digital sovereignty', according to indiatimes, reuters, and indiatimes.

WhatsApp has publicly criticized the restrictions, emphasizing its commitment to secure communication for its users and asserting that the government's actions infringe on these rights. This is part of a larger trend where Russia has increasingly tightened its grip on digital communication, pointing to the emergence of a state-backed messaging app, MAX, which may lead to further complications for third-party platforms, as discussed in reuters, reuters, and aljazeera.