Russia’s state communications watchdog said it is tightening restrictions on WhatsApp, claiming the US-owned platform violates Russian law and is being used to facilitate criminal activity, according to comments carried by the Tass news agency.
Roskomnadzor said the messenger app “continues to violate” Russian legal requirements and alleged it is used to organize illicit actions, recruit individuals for unlawful activities, and conduct fraud targeting Russian citizens.
The authority stressed that WhatsApp has not implemented measures demanded under local laws to prevent and counter criminal offenses.
The regulator said limitations introduced since August have gradually reduced the quality of WhatsApp calls, reiterating that the process is being rolled out in stages to allow users to transition to other services.
It recommended shifting to “national platforms” amid warnings that the app could be fully blocked if the company does not comply with Russian regulations.
Russia has increased pressure on foreign digital platforms in recent years, introducing fines, access restrictions, and data storage requirements. Previous measures targeted major global tech companies over alleged non-compliance with domestic laws.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 5th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening to hit Iran "really hard" if a deal was not reached.
Nauru, the world’s third smallest country, has changed its name to Naoero, the Pacific island nation’s President said. The new name corresponds to the spelling and pronunciation in the national language.
The U.S. has made its visa bond programme permanent for citizens of 50 countries, requiring some business and tourist visa applicants to pay refundable deposits of up to $20,000. Several Central Asian countries remain on the list, but Uzbekistan is not.
SpaceX has reported a sharp rise in quarterly revenue, fuelled by strong demand for its Starlink satellite internet service and rapid growth in its artificial intelligence (AI) business.
China is accelerating the transformation of its agricultural sector through artificial intelligence (AI), smart machinery and advanced breeding technologies, according to Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Han Jun.
Amazon-owned Zoox has become the first company in the United States to receive federal approval to operate and charge passengers in purpose-built robotaxis without a steering wheel or pedals, marking a major milestone for the autonomous vehicle industry.
World’s biggest phygital sporting event, the Games of the Future 2026, has officially begun in Astana, Kazakhstan, running from 29 July to 9 August.
China will "resolutely retaliate" and safeguard its interests if the United States insists on acting unilaterally over an import ban on new Chinese robots and power inverters, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.
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