Russia introduces restrictions on the messaging apps Telegram and Whatsapp. The measure is necessary in the fight against crime, writes the state-owned Russian media.
"In order to combat criminals, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls from these foreign messaging apps", quote news agencies Ria and Tass the country's censorship agency Roskomnadzor.
The Ukrainian intelligence service recently reported that Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to introduce new restrictions on foreign messaging apps from countries considered hostile.
The measure is part of a broader strategy to reduce Russia's dependence on technology from Western countries that are classified by Moscow as hostile.
