WhatsApp blocked in Russia. Moscow: doesn’t respect our legal guidelines | EUROtoday

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Messaging app WhatsApp has denounced an try by Russian authorities to dam its operation to drive customers emigrate to a competing state-controlled service, calling it a “step backwards”. “The Russian government attempted to completely block WhatsApp to push people towards a state-owned surveillance app,” the subsidiary of the American group Meta mentioned. The Russian regulator had already imposed restrictions on the Telegram app this week, the most recent step in a broader crackdown on foreign-based social networks.

“Attempting to deprive over 100 million users of private and secure communications is a step backwards that can only reduce the safety of people in Russia,” the messaging service added. “We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected,” he continued. Authorities are encouraging Russians to make use of Max, a brand new messaging app promoted by Moscow however at present a lot much less fashionable. Offered by the Russian social media large Vk from 2025, Max presents itself as a super-app that gives entry to each authorities providers and on-line shops. Last summer time, Russia had already banned customers from making calls on Telegram and WhatsApp. Messaging app scams are quite common in Russia. Authorities additionally accuse Kiev of recruiting Russians by these apps to commit acts of sabotage in trade for cash.

Moscow: we are going to unblock it if it respects our legal guidelines

Moscow says WhatsApp can be unblocked in Russia if Meta respects “Russian laws” and demonstrates “willingness for dialogue”. «This is a query of compliance with Russian legal guidelines. If Meta complies, it can begin a dialogue with the Russian authorities after which there can be a chance to achieve an settlement,” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed the Tass information company. If the US firm continues to disregard Russia’s requests there can be no chance of restoring the service, Moscow underlined. “If he continues to cling to his uncompromising position and demonstrate his absolute unwillingness to comply with Russian laws, then there will be no chance,” Peskov defined. The Russian telecommunications regulator confirmed to TASS that it has taken measures to decelerate WhatsApp on account of violations of Russian legal guidelines. It claims that the messaging service is used to prepare and perform terrorist actions within the nation and that it’s also one of many most important providers used to defraud and extort cash from residents.