WhatsApp has sharply criticised new restrictions imposed by Russian authorities, saying the measures are jeopardising the ability of more than 100 million users in the country to communicate securely just ahead of the holiday season.
The messaging platform’s statement follows renewed threats from Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, which has said it may fully block WhatsApp unless the company aligns its operations with local legal requirements. The regulator claims that WhatsApp has facilitated activities including terrorism, fraud and other crimes, prompting it to gradually tighten access to the service.
Thousands of users across Russia reported intermittent outages and significant slowdowns, consistent with a phased series of restrictions that began earlier in the year. Officials say the gradual approach to limiting WhatsApp is intended to allow users time to transition to alternative messaging platforms.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, has rebutted these actions, arguing that forcing users onto state-mandated apps could compromise privacy and security. The company emphasised that its end-to-end encryption is vital for private communications among individuals and groups, from families to workplaces.
The tussle between WhatsApp and Russian authorities forms part of a broader pattern of regulatory pressure on foreign tech companies, including past blocking or throttling of major social media and messaging services. Moscow has been actively promoting domestic alternatives such as the government-backed Max app, which authorities say will better serve local needs. Critics, however, contend that such platforms could enable increased state surveillance.
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