MOSCOW, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Russian authorities are

taking measures to restrict some calls on Telegram and WhatsApp,

the messaging app owned by Meta Platforms ( META ), Russia's

Interfax news agency cited Russia's communications regulator

Roskomnadzor as saying on Wednesday.

Meta and Telegram did not immediately respond to requests

for comment.

President Vladimir Putin last month signed a law authorizing

the development of a state-backed messaging app integrated with

government services, as Russia strives to reduce its dependence

on platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

Russia has long sought to establish what it calls

digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. Its push

to replace foreign tech platforms became more urgent as some

Western companies pulled out of the Russian market after Moscow

launched full-scale war in Ukraine.

"In order to counteract criminals...measures are being taken

to partially restrict calls on these foreign messengers,"

Interfax quoted Roskomnadzor as saying. "No other restrictions

have been imposed on their functionality."

Roskomnadzor said that the owners of both Telegram and

WhatsApp had ignored repeated requests to take measures to stop

their platforms being used for activities such as extortion and

terrorism.