Dhaka, Feb. 11 -- Russian authorities have started limiting access to Telegram, one of the country's most widely used messaging apps, as part of efforts to steer citizens toward state-controlled digital platforms.

On Tuesday, the government announced it was restricting Telegram to "protect Russian citizens," accusing the platform of failing to remove content officials describe as criminal and extremist.

Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, said in a statement that restrictions on Telegram would remain in place "until violations of Russian law are eliminated."

The regulator claimed that users' personal data was not adequately protected and that the platform lacked effective measures to prevent fraud and the use of the service...