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Russian Senator Artyom Sheykin, in a statement to the state news agency RIA Novosti, mentioned the possibility of banning WhatsApp in 2025 due to state security concerns.
According to the Russian senator, WhatsApp's decision not to cooperate with Russia's intelligence services is the reason behind such a possibility.
Sheykin emphasized that foreign companies operating in Russia must comply with the country’s laws.
Oleg Matveychev, a member of the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, stated to the pro-government newspaper Parlamentskaya Gazeta that WhatsApp is used by “extremist and terrorist organizations” but refuses to cooperate with Russian intelligence services.
Since the beginning of its war against Ukraine, Russia has taken strict measures against foreign online services.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X have already been banned, with Viber being the most recent addition to the list.
The potential ban on WhatsApp would undoubtedly have significant implications for users, as it remains the most popular messaging app in the country.
2 min read
