Russia announced on Friday that it was considering banning popular messaging service WhatsApp, accusing it of failing to prevent and repress crime, as Moscow encourages Russians to use state-backed digital platforms.
Russia barred users from making calls on the platform in August as part of a larger assault on Western-owned social media, which critics say is intended to force Russians to use indigenous platforms.
According to a statement issued by Russian communications agency Roskomnadzor, WhatsApp is being used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts in the country, to recruit perpetrators, and for fraud and other crimes against our citizens.”
“If the messenger fails to comply with Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked,” it said.
The messaging service’s owner, US technology corporation Meta, did not respond immediately.
WhatsApp is one of the two most popular messaging systems in Russia, along with Telegram.
Moscow wants both messengers to offer access to data upon request from law police for fraud probes and to investigate actions that Russia characterizes as “terrorist.”
Rights groups are concerned that this will expand Russia’s surveillance state and might be used to target critics of the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin, or the conflict in Ukraine.
