It is one of the most popular mail services in Russia. But the authorities threatened this Friday to “completely block” WhatsApp, accusing it of not excluding from its service activities deemed criminal by Moscow.
The American giant Meta, owner of the messaging service, said that Russia was trying to ban the application because “it defies the government’s attempts to violate users’ rights to secure communication.”
In a statement released on Friday, Russia’s telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor said it could “completely” ban the app if it did not fully comply with Russian laws.
Russia had already banned users from making calls on the platform in August, as part of a broader crackdown on social networks owned by foreign companies.
Used for “crimes”
Telegram messaging was targeted by the same restriction measure in August. Critics say Moscow is trying to force Russians to use state-controlled platforms instead.
According to Roskomnadzor, WhatsApp is used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts in the country, to recruit the perpetrators, and for fraud and other crimes against our citizens”: “If messaging does not comply with Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked.”
Moscow wants the two messengers to provide access to data at the request of law enforcement, not only for fraud investigations, but also for the investigation of activities that Russia describes as terrorist.
The authorities also accuse the Ukrainian security services of recruiting Russians via these applications to commit acts of sabotage in the country in exchange for a promise of remuneration. Human rights defenders fear that controlling messaging could expand the police powers of the Russian state.