WhatsApp, a popular instant messaging app used by billions of people worldwide, is facing increased pressure in Russia once more. This is because the government’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has issued a new warning, which might lead to the messaging platform’s prohibition. The regulator claims that the software is being used to promote terrorist operations, recruit criminals, and organize acts against the Russian government. Following the warning, users in major Russian cities, notably Siberia and the Ural region, experienced WhatsApp service problems.
WhatsApp : Meta has previously been branded ‘extreme’ in Russia.
This new concern arises because Meta, WhatsApp’s parent firm, is already prohibited in Russia. During the ongoing crisis with Ukraine, the authorities labeled Meta an extremist organisation, resulting in Facebook and Instagram being blocked. Authorities have regularly expressed worry that Meta’s platforms facilitate anti-Russian activity.
In August of this year, numerous other programs, including Telegram, were prohibited as part of Russia’s stricter digital control strategy. Foreign social media platforms became more strictly controlled, citing national security concerns.
Russian government will drive consumers toward local texting apps.
According to rumors, the Russian government may promote or force residents to use other messaging apps available in the nation that are not end-to-end encrypted, such as WhatsApp.
The unencrypted platform would allow authorities to use personal data and communication logs for more effective surveillance and security. Roskomnadzor has also threatened a full nationwide block on WhatsApp if it fails to comply with local legislation.
The change may have an impact on millions of Russian WhatsApp users who use the platform on a daily basis. According to the research, local applications provide even fewer privacy protections, raising concerns about user safety and freedom of speech.
Widening attack on US IT companies
The current war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in far-reaching sanctions against American technology corporations. Several systems have restricted or outright prohibited messaging, social networking, and cloud services. The government claims that these procedures are critical for national security, but critics argue that they are part of a larger effort to control digital content.
With rising geopolitical tensions throughout the world, Russia has intensified regulatory pressure on its citizens, and the presence of WhatsApp in Russia may appear to be a barrier to securing the ecosystem.
