WhatsApp should prepare to exit Russian market, senior lawmaker says
MOSCOW: Messaging app WhatsApp may soon be blocked in Russia, as lawmakers push for tighter restrictions on digital platforms from "unfriendly countries".
"It's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market," Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the Duma Committee on Information Policy, wrote on Telegram on July 18. The Meta-owned service is likely to be added to a list of software subject to restrictions due to its ties to Western countries, he said.
Programmes from Western IT companies that have left Russia have long been a thorn in the Kremlin's side. Back in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for their services to be curtailed.
In 2021, following a decree by Putin, the Russian government began compiling a list of "unfriendly countries," which initially included the United States and the Czech Republic. It was expanded after the invasion of Ukraine to encompass the European Union as a whole.
In June, the Russian parliament, the State Duma, also passed a law to create its own messenging service. At the time, it was said that government services would also be integrated into this chat programme, likely to be called Max.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, Moscow has massively tightened censorship and control of the Internet.
On Thursday, parliament passed new legislation that makes searching for content that the authorities classify as "extremist" punishable by fines of up to 5,000 roubles (RM 269 ).
Internet resources that criticise the ruling elite, such as The Anti-Corruption Foundation started by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, are among the sites targeted.
Until now, there has been no legal regulation in Russia that would have hindered the free search for information. Only the creation and dissemination of "extremist content" was prohibited.
Numerous websites, including those of Western and independent media, are already blocked in Russia.
To make it even more difficult for Russians to access content, VPN services are increasingly being blocked. Mobile internet is also being shut down with increasing frequency. – dpa
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
7 minutes ago
- Daily Express
No registration for RM100 cash aid, beware of scams, warns government
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Deputy finance minister Lim Hui Ying said the ministry has received complaints about fake links and messages claiming that registration is required to receive the cash aid. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The government has urged the public to be cautious of scams and other fraud attempts over the one-off RM100 cash assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA). Speaking at an event in George Town, Penang, today, deputy finance minister Lim Hui Ying said the assistance does not require any application or registration whatsoever, Bernama reported. She said the amount will be credited directly into the MyKad of all Malaysians aged 18 and above starting Aug 31. 'We have received numerous inquiries about how to register for the RM100 SARA assistance. There have also been complaints about fake links and messages claiming that registration is required to receive the aid. 'These claims are false and dangerous. Do not click on any such links, they are scams. 'I want to stress that there is no need to apply or register for the RM100 cash aid, as it will be automatically credited to the recipients' MyKad,' she said. Lim, who is the MP for Tanjung, reassured the public that there is no cause for concern as everyone aged 18 and above will receive the cash aid. 'Only if they do not receive it after Aug 31 will we take further action and inform them accordingly,' she said. On July 23, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced several major initiatives by the government, including the one-off RM100 cash aid, the postponement of toll rate hikes on 10 highways, and a drop in the price of RON95 fuel to RM1.99 per litre. Lim also said the government is open to considering the inclusion of wet goods such as chicken, meat and fish under SARA. 'We continue to listen to feedback and suggestions regarding the list of items under SARA. There have been proposals to include wet items such as fish, meat and chicken. We will consider expanding the list when the time is right,' she told reporters. She said the government expanded the SARA initiative on May 1 to include household cleaning products, such as laundry detergent, floor cleaner, and dishwashing liquid. These are in addition to the existing categories covering basic food items, medicines, school supplies, and personal hygiene products. Their inclusion increased the number of product categories from 13 to 14, covering 90,000 types of goods. This decision was based on feedback received during the implementation of SARA earlier this year, she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
7 minutes ago
- The Sun
PM Anwar urges MPs to adopt civil debate, avoid insults in Parliament
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Members of Parliament to maintain a culture of civil and respectful debate in the Dewan Rakyat, steering clear of insults and profanity. Speaking at the 2025 Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals, he highlighted the need for constructive discourse in legislative discussions. Anwar expressed admiration for the young debaters, applauding their confidence, factual accuracy, and well-structured arguments. He suggested that MPs could learn from their disciplined approach to debate. 'I am very proud of the quality of the debate, and I couldn't help but wonder - why shouldn't Members of Parliament learn from this? If we wish to debate, we must first master knowledge, analyse it, process it, and present it effectively,' he said. The Prime Minister also commended the students for their proficiency in Malay and their ability to engage in insightful discussions. He emphasised that debate should focus on clarity and analysis rather than mere rhetoric. The Prime Minister said that values such as manners and ethics must be integral to the national education system, as the vision of building a MADANI Malaysia cannot rely solely on technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, and emerging technologies. 'When we talk about a MADANI nation, it must be founded on values and ethics, as articulated by Sheikh Taha Jabir Al-Alwani in his work Adab al-Ikhtilaf,' he said. Acknowledging the complexity of today's challenges and the need for future generations to master new knowledge, Anwar stressed that such advancement must be grounded in tradition, human values, and ethical principles. 'We train our children not only to master new knowledge but also to uphold the values of faith, ethics, and local culture. Without this balance, we risk merely replicating the model of Western countries,' he said. Meanwhile, the 50th edition of the debate saw Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang crowned champion in the Malay language category, while Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah emerged victorious in the English category. - Bernama
Daily Express
37 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Protesters gather in KL for ‘Turun Anwar' rally
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: R Loheswar, Soo Wern Jun, Malay Mail Text Size: Police manage the crowd as they gather during the rally at Sogo Shopping Center in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. – Pic by Raymond Manuel | Malay Mail KUALA LUMPUR: Protesters have started to gather in the heart of Kuala Lumpur for the 'Perhimpunan Turun Anwar' rally, marshalled by PAS Youth. At the Sogo supermarket, people began to gather as early as 10am and had swelled to a few hundred people by 11.45am. They were seen predominantly clad in black, carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting 'Turun Anwar' and 'Turun Hari Ini'. At Masjid Jamek, similar scenes were observed, although the group there was not as large as at Sogo. Some participants also brought up the Sabah scandal, calling for the resignation of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Other areas in Kuala Lumpur also saw groups gathering to march to Dataran Merdeka at 2pm. PAS youth leaders were seen coordinating the protestors by informing them to be safe and updating them on the rally schedule. No untoward incidents have been reported so far. The plan was for the procession to reach Dataran Merdeka, followed by speeches from PAS leaders such as Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is also expected to deliver a speech at 5pm. There is a heavy police presence at all hotspots, with guards seen stationed and access to Masjid Negara sealed. Outside the Masjid Jamek LRT station, police could be seen directing rallygoers to stand by the side and to watch where they were walking so as not to be hit by vehicles. Chants of 'Hidup, Hidup! Hidup Rakyat!' and 'Turun, Turun! Turun Anwar!' were continuously heard. Individuals helping to coordinate the rally were also heard asking participants where they were from. Chants of 'Kedah', 'Johor', and 'Melaka' echoed in response. The rallygoers are expected to march to Dataran Merdeka at 1pm. - Malay Mail * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
