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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russian lawmakers claim WhatsApp is a national security threat, should prepare to leave the country
A Russian lawmaker who regulates the country's IT said Friday that WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, warning that the messaging app would likely be put on a list of restricted software. Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the lower house of parliament's information technology committee, said in a statement that MAX, a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, could gain market share if WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, left the country. "It's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market," Gorelkin said, adding that Meta is designated as an extremist organization in Russia. Facebook and Instagram, both also owned by Meta, have been banned in Russia since 2022, when Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in a war that continues. Russia Says Nato Threatens Wwiii In Latest Deterrence Plan That Could Take Down Kaliningrad 'Faster Than Ever' Gorelkin made his comments after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law last month authorizing the development of MAX as Russia seeks to reduce its dependence on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Read On The Fox News App Russian lawmakers approved sweeping legal amendments this week, proposing fines of up to 5,000 rubles, or $63, for anyone searching for material online the government considers to be extremist, including Instagram and Facebook, and opposition politicians and activists. The proposal sparked criticism, including from some Kremlin backers like Margarita Simonyan, a state media executive who said journalists would be unable to investigate the activities of opposition groups such as the Anti-Corruption Fund founded by deceased opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Anton Nemkin, a member of the parliament's IT committee, said it was determined that WhatsApp would leave Russia. "The presence of such a service in Russia's digital space is, in fact, a legal breach of national security," Nemkin said, according to TASS, a state-owned news agency. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said all services must follow Russian law when asked if WhatsApp may leave the country. Russia has long attempted to establish what it describes as digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. But critics have expressed concerns that Russia's new state-backed messaging app may track its users' activities and have suggested Russia could slow WhatsApp's speeds to encourage downloads of the new app. YouTube has had its audience in Russia decline significantly in the last year to fewer than 10 million daily users from more than 40 million in mid-2024 because slower download speeds have made it more difficult for people to access the video platform. Shares in state-controlled technology company VK, which is developing homegrown digital services like VK Video, a rival to YouTube, grew 1.9% Friday. Russia Threatens West With 'Preemptive Strikes' As Nato Looks To Deliver Patriots 'As Quickly As Possible' The Kremlin released a list of instructions this week from Putin, including a directive to introduce additional restrictions on the use in Russia of software, including communication services produced in "unfriendly countries" that have imposed sanctions against Russia. Putin gave a deadline of Sept. 1. Referring to Putin's order, Gorelkin said WhatsApp would likely be among the communication services to face new restrictions. Reuters contributed to this article source: Russian lawmakers claim WhatsApp is a national security threat, should prepare to leave the country Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
4 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Russian lawmakers claim WhatsApp is a national security threat, should prepare to leave the country
A Russian lawmaker who regulates the country's IT said Friday that WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, warning that the messaging app would likely be put on a list of restricted software. Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the lower house of parliament's information technology committee, said in a statement that MAX, a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, could gain market share if WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, left the country. "It's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market," Gorelkin said, adding that Meta is designated as an extremist organization in Russia. Facebook and Instagram, both also owned by Meta, have been banned in Russia since 2022, when Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in a war that continues. Gorelkin made his comments after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law last month authorizing the development of MAX as Russia seeks to reduce its dependence on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Russian lawmakers approved sweeping legal amendments this week, proposing fines of up to 5,000 rubles, or $63, for anyone searching for material online the government considers to be extremist, including Instagram and Facebook, and opposition politicians and activists. The proposal sparked criticism, including from some Kremlin backers like Margarita Simonyan, a state media executive who said journalists would be unable to investigate the activities of opposition groups such as the Anti-Corruption Fund founded by deceased opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Anton Nemkin, a member of the parliament's IT committee, said it was determined that WhatsApp would leave Russia. "The presence of such a service in Russia's digital space is, in fact, a legal breach of national security," Nemkin said, according to TASS, a state-owned news agency. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said all services must follow Russian law when asked if WhatsApp may leave the country. Russia has long attempted to establish what it describes as digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. But critics have expressed concerns that Russia's new state-backed messaging app may track its users' activities and have suggested Russia could slow WhatsApp's speeds to encourage downloads of the new app. YouTube has had its audience in Russia decline significantly in the last year to fewer than 10 million daily users from more than 40 million in mid-2024 because slower download speeds have made it more difficult for people to access the video platform. Shares in state-controlled technology company VK, which is developing homegrown digital services like VK Video, a rival to YouTube, grew 1.9% Friday. The Kremlin released a list of instructions this week from Putin, including a directive to introduce additional restrictions on the use in Russia of software, including communication services produced in "unfriendly countries" that have imposed sanctions against Russia. Putin gave a deadline of Sept. 1. Referring to Putin's order, Gorelkin said WhatsApp would likely be among the communication services to face new restrictions.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Russian lawmakers say ‘security threat' WhatsApp should prepare to leave Russia
A WhatsApp icon is displayed on an iPhone, Nov. 15, 2018, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) MOSCOW — WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, a lawmaker who regulates the IT sector said on Friday, warning that the messaging app owned by Meta Platforms was likely to be put on a list of restricted software. President Vladimir Putin last month signed a law authorizing the development of a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, as Russia strives to reduce its dependence on platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the lower house of parliament's information technology committee, said in a statement on Telegram that the state-backed app, MAX, could gain market share if WhatsApp - used by 68 per cent of Russians daily - left. 'It's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market,' Gorelkin said, adding that Meta is designated as an extremist organization in Russia. The company's Facebook and Instagram social media platforms have been banned in Russia since 2022, when Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russian lawmakers this week approved sweeping legal amendments, proposing fines of up to 5,000 roubles (US$63) for anyone searching for material online that the government deems extremist - which includes not just the likes of Instagram and Facebook, but many opposition politicians and activists. The move drew criticism, including from some Kremlin backers such as Margarita Simonyan, a state media executive who said journalists would be unable to investigate activities of opposition groups such as the Anti-Corruption Fund of late opposition figure Alexei Navalny. National Security Threat Anton Nemkin, a member of the parliament's IT committee, said WhatsApp's fate in Russia was now predetermined. 'The presence of such a service in Russia's digital space is, in fact, a legal breach of national security,' the TASS news agency quoted Nemkin as saying. Asked if WhatsApp might leave Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said all services must abide by Russian law. Russia has long sought to establish what it calls digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. Critics have voiced concerns that Russia's new state-backed messaging app may track its users' activities and have suggested Russia could slow WhatsApp's speeds to encourage downloads. Alphabet's YouTube has seen its audience in Russia drop sharply in the last year to fewer than 10 million daily users from more than 40 million in mid-2024, as slower download speeds have made it harder for people to access. The Kremlin this week published a list of instructions from Putin, including an order to introduce additional restrictions on the use in Russia of software, including communication services, produced in 'unfriendly countries' that have imposed sanctions against Russia. Putin gave a deadline of September 1. Gorelkin, referring to Putin's order, said WhatsApp was likely to be among those communication services restricted. Alexander Marrow, Reuters
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russian MPs predict WhatsApp ban
WhatsApp, the messaging service owned by Meta, may be forced to exit the Russian market as lawmakers warn that the app faces additional legal restrictions despite its popularity in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his government this week to draft new regulations by September that would impose additional controls on software developed in so-called 'unfriendly' nations. Some Russian legislators have singled out WhatsApp as a likely target. 'WhatsApp should be preparing to leave the Russian market,' said Anton Gorelkin, deputy chair of the State Duma's committee on information policy and technology, in a social media post on Friday. Another committee member, Anton Nemkin, told TASS that WhatsApp's continued presence constitutes 'a legalized breach of national security.' He added the app's 'fate in Russia is sealed.' Both lawmakers pointed to Meta's prior designation in Russia as a distributor of extremist content. That label followed the company's decision in 2022 to permit content calling for violence against Russians in the context of the Ukraine conflict – an exemption from its standard hate speech policies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that WhatsApp, like all companies operating in Russia, must comply with national laws. However, he declined to say whether a formal ban is under consideration. WhatsApp is Russia's most-used messenger service, according to surveys. Research firm Mediascope estimated its monthly user base at 97.4 million as of April. The Russian government is promoting the development of a domestic messaging platform which would be integrated with the country's national ID system. Officials hope the service will eventually enable secure access to government and financial services. The app is currently in public beta testing. Gorelkin said the domestic platform would be a natural replacement for WhatsApp. Russia already imposes regulatory limits on messaging services. For example, since last month, banks and businesses handling personal data have been required to use secure communication channels to reduce the risk of fraud.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Meta-owned WhatsApp could be banned in Russia. Here's why
WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, a lawmaker who regulates the IT sector said on Friday, warning that the messaging app owned by Meta Platforms is very likely to be put on a list of restricted software. Russian President Vladimir Putin last month signed a law authorising the development of a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, as Moscow strives to reduce its dependence on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the lower house of parliament's information technology committee, said in a statement on Telegram that the state-backed app, MAX, could gain market share should WhatsApp, used by 68% of Russians each day, leave. 'It's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market,' Gorelkin said, noting that Meta is designated as an extremist organisation in Russia. The company's Facebook and Instagram social media platforms have been banned in Russia since 2022 when Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT Anton Nemkin, a member of the parliament's IT committee, said WhatsApp's fate in Russia was predetermined. 'The presence of such a service in Russia's digital space is, in fact, a legal breach of national security,' the TASS news agency quoted Nemkin as saying. Asked if WhatsApp might leave Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said all services must abide by Russian law. Russia has long sought to establish what it calls digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. Its push to replace foreign tech platforms became more urgent as some Western companies pulled out of the Russian market after 2022. The Kremlin this week published a list of instructions from Putin, including an order to introduce additional restrictions on the use in Russia of software, including communication services, produced in so-called 'unfriendly countries' that have imposed sanctions against Russia. Putin gave a deadline of September 1. Gorelkin, referring to Putin's order, said WhatsApp was likely to be among those communication services restricted. Gorelkin said he expected Telegram, founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, to avoid being banned, provided it complies with Russian law.
