Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked the voice calling features of WhatsApp and Telegram in the country since yesterday. In a statement issued by Roskomnadzor, the restrictions were imposed because the feature was being used for fraudulent purposes and terrorist activities
Requests for platform operators to take action were ignored and therefore the restrictions were taken. In a statement given to the media, WhatsApp said its messaging app is encrypted to counter attempts by the Russian government to infringe on people's right to communication. The restrictions, which have affected the WhatsApp experience of 100 million users in Russia, have now been lifted.
Telegram has not yet issued a statement but several Russian government requests to access the app's system have led the company to move operations abroad.