Russia has removed WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, from an online registry maintained by its internet regulator, according to a report by the Financial Times. The messaging platform had recently been used by at least 100 million people in the country.
Russia had already begun restricting certain calls on WhatsApp and Telegram last year, accusing the foreign-operated services of failing to provide information to law enforcement in cases involving fraud and terrorism.
In comments to the Financial Times, WhatsApp said the Russian government was attempting to completely block the service to steer users toward a state-backed messaging application that it claimed could be used for surveillance. The company did not immediately respond to further requests for comment.
Russian authorities have been promoting the government-supported alternative app, though critics have raised concerns that it could enable user tracking. State media have rejected those claims.
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