""Today the Russian government has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive users to a state-owned surveillance app," Meta told the FT in a statement. "Trying to isolate over 100 million people from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.""
"The Russian government deleted WhatsApp rival Telegram yesterday, while also erasing Meta apps Facebook and Instagram. YouTube access was also reportedly degraded, though it's not clear if the app has been completely removed."
"The state has said that an in-house app would protect citizens from fraud and terrorism, given the large number of scammers on WhatsApp in the nation. However, restrictions on Telegram haven't gone over well domestically, even among Putin's allies, as residents along Ukraine's borders have relied on it for drone and missile alerts. "I am concerned that slowing Telegram could affect the flow of information, if the situation deteriorates," said the governor of one of those regions."
Russian authorities removed WhatsApp from an online directory, effectively wiping it from the country's internet and cutting access for as many as 100 million users. The government also deleted Telegram and erased Facebook and Instagram, while YouTube access was reportedly degraded. The state is promoting an unencrypted, state-owned app called Max and argues an in-house app would protect citizens from fraud and terrorism. Meta has been designated an extremist organization and warned that isolating users from private, secure communication reduces safety. Local officials expressed concern that restricting Telegram could impede critical drone and missile alerts along Ukraine's borders.
Read at Engadget
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