Russia Escalates Tech Control,Threatens Full WhatsApp Ban
Moscow – Russia is threatening a complete ban of the popular messaging app WhatsApp,alleging the platform facilitates criminal activity and fails to comply wiht Russian law. The move, announced Friday by communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, intensifies Moscow’s push to steer citizens toward domestically-controlled digital services and further restricts access to Western-owned social media.
This escalation follows Russia blocking WhatsApp’s voice and video call functionality in August as part of a broader effort to exert greater control over online communication. A full ban would impact millions of Russian users who rely on WhatsApp for personal and professional communication, and represents a meaningful step in Russia’s ongoing efforts to isolate its digital sphere. Roskomnadzor stated WhatsApp is being used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts in the country, to recruit perpetrators, and for fraud and other crimes against our citizens.”
russian authorities are demanding WhatsApp, owned by US technology giant Meta, provide access to user data for law enforcement investigations related to fraud and what Russia defines as “terrorist” activities. Roskomnadzor warned that failure to comply with Russian legislation will result in a complete block of the service. Meta has not yet issued a public comment on the threat.
WhatsApp is currently one of the two most widely used messaging apps in Russia, alongside Telegram. Rights advocates express concern that granting Russian authorities access to user data would expand the country’s surveillance capabilities and perhaps target individuals critical of the Kremlin,President Vladimir Putin,or the war in Ukraine.
