Russia threatens to block WhatsApp completely. The warning issued by Russia's communications regulatory agency
WhatsApp. Photo: © Michele Ursi | Dreamstime.com
Russia's communications regulator on Friday threatened to block WhatsApp entirely if the platform does not comply with Russian law, news agencies reported, according to Reuters.
In August, Russia began restricting certain calls on Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing the foreign platforms of refusing to provide information to authorities in fraud and terrorism cases.
On Friday, watchdog Roskomnadzor again accused WhatsApp of not complying with Russian requirements aimed at preventing and fighting crime.
“If the messaging service continues to not comply with the requirements of Russian law, it will be completely blocked,” the institution said, as quoted by the Interfax agency.
Russian authorities are promoting a rival state-backed app
WhatsApp has accused Moscow of trying to prevent millions of Russians from accessing secure communications.
Russian authorities are promoting a rival state-backed app called MAX, which critics say could be used to monitor users. State media dismissed these allegations as false.
The app has been compared to China's WeChat for its lack of end-to-end encryption and privacy policy that allows authorities to access personal information such as chat history, contacts, photos and location data, according to Politico.
In order to use the MAX messaging app the user must provide a Russian or Belarusian phone number, which requires a government-issued ID, meaning any data collection can be traced back to an individual.
Photo: © Michele Ursi | Dreamstime.com
