Russia blocks WhatsApp and Telegram

MOSCOW: Russia said on Thursday that it had blocked WhatsApp due to its alleged failure to comply with legislative requirements, just a few days after imposing similar restrictions on a competing instant messaging service, Telegram.

Moscow has been trying for months to transition users to the service, under the name "Max," which lacks the end-to-end encryption of other messaging services and has been criticized by activists as a surveillance tool.

Such restrictions, argue detractors, are part of a larger effort by Russian authorities to gain greater control over internet usage and monitor Russian citizens. 

WhatsApp, which has over 100 million users in Russia, is a product of the US tech giant, Meta. WhatsApp led the pack of messaging apps used by Russians aged 25 and above in 2023, with Telegram leading the pack for the younger population, according to a report by a Russian news outlet, RBK

Russia declared that it was banning voice calls on both applications last August, citing the fact that it facilitates crime. Since then, it has progressively slowed down WhatsApp and announced in November that it will ban it altogether unless it complies with Russian legislation.

Russia has asked for access to the data provided by the two messengers if asked by law enforcement agencies for fraud investigation and for activities referred to by Russia as ‘terrorist.’