Russia blocks WhatsApp for 100 million users: what is known about the restrictions

The Russian authorities block WhatsApp

The RF government, by banning the WhatsApp messenger, violates people's rights to safe communication. This is reported by 'Glavkom', citing the official response from the messenger.

WhatsApp is confidential, protected by end-to-end encryption by default, and resists attempts by governments to violate people's right to safe communication – this is precisely why the Russian authorities are trying to block WhatsApp for more than 100 million of our users in the country,

WhatsApp guarantees that it will continue to ensure the availability of communication in the messenger for people around the world, including Russia.

Fighting malicious use

Interestingly, Roskomnadzor had previously taken measures to limit calls not only through WhatsApp but also through Telegram, explaining this as 'counteraction to criminals' and 'reducing the number of fraudulent calls.'

For its part, Telegram emphasized that it is actively working to halt the malicious use of its platform, including calls for diversions, violence, and fraud.

Telegram was the first to introduce detailed privacy settings for calls, allowing each user to determine for themselves from whom they want to receive calls or to disable them altogether,

Recall that previously the Center for National Resistance (CNS) stated that the RF blocks WhatsApp in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia. Users have been reporting problems with the functioning of the messenger en masse.

According to the CNS, the situation indicates the fear of the occupiers regarding free communication and their attempts to completely subordinate information exchange to their propaganda goals.

The events unfolding indicate the attempts of the Russian authorities to restrict access to safe communication through popular messengers, which provokes outrage among users and establishes new restrictions in the field of digital freedom.