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Russia Warns It May Fully Ban WhatsApp if the App Refuses to Comply with Law

Russia Warns It May Fully Ban WhatsApp if the App Refuses to Comply with Law

Roskomnadzor says it is continuing restrictions on WhatsApp and may block the service entirely if it does not comply with Russian law. In August, Moscow limited some voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram amid accusations the platforms refused to provide information for fraud and terrorism investigations. The move reflects growing pressure on foreign tech firms over data access and cooperation with domestic authorities. A full ban could disrupt millions of users and businesses that depend on the app.

Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, said on Friday it is continuing to restrict the WhatsApp messaging service and warned it could block the app entirely if it does not meet Russian legal requirements.

In August, Moscow began limiting some voice calls on WhatsApp — owned by Meta Platforms — and on Telegram. Authorities say the foreign-owned platforms have refused to provide information requested by law enforcement in investigations into fraud and terrorism, prompting tighter measures.

The announcement underscores mounting pressure from Russian officials on international technology companies to cooperate with domestic investigators and comply with local data‑access rules. A full ban would affect millions of users and could disrupt businesses that rely on WhatsApp for communication and customer service.

Beyond immediate user impact, the dispute highlights broader tensions over encryption, cross-border data access and how global tech firms balance legal obligations in different countries. It remains unclear what specific steps WhatsApp could take to meet Russian requirements or how a total block would be implemented technically and legally.

What to watch next: whether WhatsApp and its parent company engage with Russian regulators, whether additional restrictions are imposed on other services, and how affected users and businesses will respond.

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