Telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has threatened to block the app entirely if it doesn’t comply with Russian law, Russian news agencies reported.
In August, Russia began restricting some calls from the MetaPlatforms-owned WhatsApp app, as well as calls from the Telegram app, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of refusing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases.
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Today, Roskomnadzor again accused the WhatsApp app of avoiding compliance with Russia’s requirements related to preventing and fighting crime.
“If the messaging service continues to not meet the requirements of Russian law, it will be completely blocked,” the Interfax news agency reported, citing Roskomnadzor.
WhatsApp has criticized Moscow for trying to block millions of Russians from accessing secure communication.
Russian authorities are promoting a state-backed messaging app called MAX, which critics say could be used to track users. State media dismissed these accusations as false.
