Roskomnadzor has taken measures to partially restrict the operation of WhatsApp and Telegram messengers in order to counter criminal and terrorist activities, the agency said. The restrictions affected the southern regions of the country, including Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Adygea and Astrakhan, where users recorded disruptions in the services on October 21.
According to RKN, foreign messengers have become the main channels for fraud, extortion and involvement of Russians in subversive and terrorist activities. At the same time, repeated appeals by the authorities to the platform owners with a demand to take measures remained without reaction.
In order to counter criminals, in accordance with the materials of law enforcement agencies, measures are being taken to partially restrict the operation of foreign messengers.
In Rostov-on-Don, Telegram and WhatsApp were unavailable even via Wi-Fi, and in Astrakhan, a low speed of applications was recorded. The failures are not related to blocking access by telecom operators, the mobile and fixed-line companies noted.
