Overview
- Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor said Friday it may fully block WhatsApp if the service does not comply with national laws.
- The regulator alleges WhatsApp is used to organize terrorist acts, recruit perpetrators, and facilitate fraud and other crimes.
- Meta counters that the push targets Russians’ right to secure communication and defends WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.
- Moscow previously blocked WhatsApp voice calls in August and has been steering users toward state-backed messaging alternatives.
- Human-rights advocates warn the restrictions could be used to pursue Kremlin critics and opponents of the war in Ukraine.