"Russia has attempted to block Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp in the country, the company said on Wednesday, as Moscow tightens control over foreign technology firms and promotes its own "national messenger." A WhatsApp spokesperson said the move was aimed at pushing users toward a "state-owned surveillance app." Russian authorities are pushing a state-backed WhatsApp rival called MAX, which critics allege could enable surveillance of users, although state media have dismissed those accusations as false."
"Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Meta could resume operations if it complies with Russian law and "enters into dialogue" with authorities. "Then we have the possibility of reaching an agreement," he said, adding that otherwise there is "no chance." Meanwhile, the Financial Times newspaper previously reported that authorities have removed the app from the equivalent of an online directory run by Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor."
Russian authorities have attempted to block WhatsApp and are promoting a state-backed messenger called MAX. WhatsApp said the move was aimed at pushing users toward a "state-owned surveillance app" and pledged to keep users connected. WhatsApp has about 100 million users in Russia and 3 billion monthly users worldwide. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Meta could resume operations if it complies with Russian law and "enters into dialogue" with authorities, otherwise there is "no chance." Authorities have removed the app from an online directory run by Roskomnadzor. Tensions with foreign tech firms include past restrictions on Signal, Telegram, and FaceTime.
Read at www.dw.com
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