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Russia’s state communications regulator on Friday warned that WhatsApp could face a complete shutdown in the country if it continues to violate Russian legislation, according to domestic news agencies.
Authorities began restricting certain WhatsApp and Telegram calls in August, accusing the foreign-owned services of declining to provide information sought by law enforcement in investigations related to fraud and terrorism.
Roskomnadzor on Friday reiterated its allegation that WhatsApp is not meeting Russian legal obligations aimed at preventing and combating criminal activity.
”If the messaging service continues to fail to meet the demands of Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked,” Interfax news agency quoted it as saying.
WhatsApp has accused Moscow of trying to block millions of Russians from accessing secure communication.
Russian authorities are pushing a state-backed rival app called MAX, which critics claim could be used to track users. State media have dismissed those accusations as false.