The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Russia announced on Friday that it is considering a full ban on the popular messaging app WhatsApp, accusing it of failing to prevent criminal activity, and encouraged its millions of users to switch to domestic alternatives.
Meta, the US tech company that owns WhatsApp, responded by saying the move is an attempt to block the app because it “resists government efforts to undermine secure communication.”
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In August, Russia had already restricted WhatsApp calls as part of a wider crackdown on Western social media platforms, which critics say aims to increase government control over the internet.
On Friday, Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor warned that the app could be “completely blocked” if it does not fully comply with Russian laws, urging users to move to “national services.”
WhatsApp, along with Telegram, is among the country’s most widely used messaging apps. Moscow demands that both platforms grant law enforcement access to user data for fraud investigations and activities it labels as “terrorist.”
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Authorities are also promoting Max, a domestic messaging service without end-to-end encryption, which must be pre-installed on all new phones and tablets.
Rights groups warn these measures could facilitate mass surveillance and be used to target critics of President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing Ukraine war.
