Russia considers total WhatsApp ban for failing to prevent terrorism and fraud, as Moscow pushes citizens toward state-backed digital services.
MOSCOW: Russia is considering a complete ban on popular messaging service WhatsApp over alleged failures to prevent and suppress criminal activities.
The threat comes as Moscow intensifies efforts to push Russian citizens toward state-backed digital platforms instead of Western-owned services.
Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated WhatsApp is being used to “organise and carry out terrorist acts in the country, to recruit perpetrators, and for fraud and other crimes against our citizens.”
The agency warned that “if the messenger fails to comply with Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked.”
This follows Russia’s August decision to block users from making calls on the platform as part of a broader crackdown on Western social media.
WhatsApp remains one of the two most popular messaging services in Russia alongside Telegram.
Moscow demands both platforms provide law enforcement with data access for fraud investigations and activities Russia labels as “terrorist.”
Rights advocates fear such access would extend Russia’s surveillance capabilities and target Kremlin critics.
US technology giant Meta, which owns WhatsApp, did not immediately comment on the threat. – AFP
