Russia threatens total ban on WhatsApp
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Russia blocked users from making calls on WhatsApp in August 2025.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- Russia is considering banning WhatsApp for allegedly failing to prevent crime and terrorist acts on its platform.
- Roskomnadzor stated that WhatsApp is being used to "organise and carry out terrorist acts" and recruit perpetrators.
- If WhatsApp fails to comply with Russian legislation, it will reportedly be completely blocked, urging citizens to use state-backed services.
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MOSCOW – Russia said on Nov 28 it was considering banning popular messaging service WhatsApp, accusing it of failing to prevent and suppress crime, as Moscow pushes Russians to switch to state-backed digital services.
Russia blocked users from making calls
In a statement, Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said WhatsApp was being used to “organise and carry out terrorist acts in the country, to recruit perpetrators, and for fraud and other crimes against our citizens.”
“If the messenger fails to comply with Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked,” it said.
US technology giant Meta, which owns the messaging service, did not immediately comment.
WhatsApp is one of the two most popular messaging services in Russia, alongside Telegram.
Moscow wants both messengers to provide access to data upon request from law enforcement, for fraud probes and for investigating activities that Russia describes as being “terrorist”.
Rights advocates fear that would extend Russia’s surveillance state and could be used to target critics of the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin or the war in Ukraine. AFP
