Russia plans to block the popular messaging application WhatsApp in 2025. Russian senator Artyom Sheykin told RIA Novosti that if the platform refuses to share user information with Russian security services, the possibility of blocking will increase. ‘Foreign companies must comply with Russian law, otherwise it will be impossible for them to continue their work,’ Sheykin said. Here are other details on the subject…
WhatsApp allegedly used by ‘terrorist groups’
Russian State Duma member Oleg Matveychev claimed that WhatsApp is used by terrorist and extremist groups. Matveychev emphasised that the platform refuses to cooperate with Russian security agencies and said, ‘Russian authorities will see whether WhatsApp is open to cooperation. The ball is now in their court,’ he said.
On 19 December, Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor added WhatsApp and Skype to a register that obliges them to store user data in Russia and provide it to security agencies. However, WhatsApp management has not yet taken any steps to comply with these rules.
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Russia had previously blocked the popular messaging app Viber on the grounds that it violated anti-terrorism laws. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) have been made inaccessible without a VPN in Russia since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine.
It is also rumoured that Russia is working on new steps such as completely banning international calls in popular messaging apps or blocking calls from foreign users. According to the Kommersant newspaper, this decision came to the agenda due to the increase in fraudulent calls, and it was stated that about 70 per cent of these calls were made from abroad.
How do you think this decision will affect the relationship between Russian users and WhatsApp? You can share your opinions in the comments!
