Russian authorities warn that WhatsApp could be fully blocked unless it complies with national laws
Russia is reportedly considering a full ban on the popular messaging platform WhatsApp, accusing the service of failing to prevent criminal activity. The Russian communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, warned on Friday that the app could be blocked entirely if it does not comply with Russian law.
The US-based tech giant Meta, which owns WhatsApp, said the move is an attempt to curb secure communication, stating that Russia “defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication.”
Calls on WhatsApp were already restricted in August as part of Moscow’s wider clampdown on Western-owned social media, a strategy critics say aims to tighten government control over the internet.
Roskomnadzor urged Russian users to switch to domestic alternatives, including Max, a local messaging service without end-to-end encryption that comes pre-installed on new smartphones and tablets.
WhatsApp, alongside Telegram, is one of Russia’s most popular messaging platforms. Authorities want these services to provide law enforcement with access to user data for investigations into fraud and activities Russia labels as “terrorist-related.”
Human rights advocates warn these measures could facilitate mass surveillance and be used to target critics of President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.