Russia has started restricting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, clamping down on the popular foreign-owned encrypted messaging platforms as it pushes for more control over internet use.

The country’s digital watchdog claimed that the encrypted messaging apps are being used for “sabotage and terrorist activities,” accusing the foreign-owned tech firms of ignoring demands to share information with law enforcement authorities, according to a statement provided to the Russian news agency Interfax.

Meta denied the claims, saying in a statement Wednesday that WhatsApp “defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people.” Advertisement

“We’re deeply concerned that blocking WhatsApp ai

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