Russia Threatens to Completely Block WhatsApp

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Russia’s state communications watchdog has warned that it may completely block WhatsApp if the platform continues to refuse compliance with national legislation, Russian news agencies reported on Friday.

In August, authorities began restricting certain WhatsApp calls, as well as calls on Telegram, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of declining to provide information requested by law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases. WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms.

On Friday, Roskomnadzor reiterated its accusation that WhatsApp had failed to meet Russian legal requirements intended to prevent and combat criminal activity.

“If the messaging service continues to fail to meet the demands of Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked,” the Interfax news agency quoted the regulator as saying.

WhatsApp, in turn, has accused Moscow of attempting to block millions of Russian users from accessing secure communications.

Russian authorities are promoting a state-backed alternative messaging app, known as MAX. Critics argue that the platform could be used to monitor users, while state media have dismissed such concerns as unfounded.

Source: Reuters



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