A senior Russian lawmaker warned on Friday that WhatsApp should begin preparing to exit the Russian market, as the government moves forward with plans to restrict foreign software and promote home-grown alternatives.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the State Duma’s information technology committee, stated on Telegram that Meta-owned WhatsApp is “very likely” to be added to Russia’s official list of restricted software. “It’s time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market,” he said, citing Meta’s designation as an extremist organisation in Russia.
The warning follows President Vladimir Putin’s recent approval of legislation that supports the development of MAX — a government-integrated messaging application designed to reduce dependence on foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. According to Gorelkin, the new app could gain considerable traction if WhatsApp, currently used daily by 68% of Russians, is restricted.
Meta, which also owns Facebook and Instagram, has seen both platforms banned in Russia since 2022, after the Kremlin launched its military campaign in Ukraine. The company has yet to respond to the latest developments.
National security and legal concerns
Fellow lawmaker Anton Nemkin, also a member of the IT committee, called WhatsApp’s continued presence in Russia a violation of national security. “The existence of such a service in Russia’s digital space is essentially a legal breach of national security,” he told state news agency TASS.
When asked about the possibility of WhatsApp’s departure, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said all digital services must comply with Russian law.
Moscow has been pursuing a policy of "digital sovereignty" for years, promoting domestic technology and services. This initiative accelerated in 2022, when numerous Western tech companies pulled out of Russia or faced restrictions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
New restrictions ahead
Earlier this week, the Kremlin issued a list of presidential directives, including an order from Putin to impose new limitations on the use of software developed in “unfriendly countries” — those that have implemented sanctions against Russia. The deadline for enforcing these restrictions is set for 1 September.
Gorelkin indicated that WhatsApp is likely to fall under this category and face new limitations. However, he suggested that Telegram — founded by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov — may avoid similar restrictions, provided it complies with local laws.
According to Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, Telegram has begun the process of establishing a legal entity within Russia, a move seen as aligning the platform with domestic regulatory expectations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday ahead of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials....
President Donald Trump said he held a “very productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, shortly before hosting Ukraini...
The fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has become one of the most contentious issues in U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan ...
The year 2025 was marked by widespread protests and civil unrest across multiple regions, as citizens took to the streets to voice anger over politica...
Strong winds and heavy rain battered tent camps in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Sunday, offering little protection to thousands of displac...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday ahead of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials.
President Donald Trump said he held a “very productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, shortly before hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida for talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
The fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has become one of the most contentious issues in U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, underscoring the complex mix of security, sovereignty and energy concerns surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
The year 2025 was marked by widespread protests and civil unrest across multiple regions, as citizens took to the streets to voice anger over political decisions, economic pressures, governance failures and social inequality.
New York placed the state under emergency measures on Friday as a powerful winter storm brought the heaviest snowfall since 2022, disrupting travel across the north-east of the United States.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck offshore near Taiwan’s north-eastern county of Yilan late on Saturday, shaking buildings across the island, including in the capital Taipei, authorities said.
Brigitte Bardot, the French actress whose barefoot mambo in And God Created Woman propelled her to international fame and reshaped female sexuality on screen, has died at the age of 91, her foundation said on Sunday.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States ahead of talks with President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war, as Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine overnight on Saturday, killing at least two people and injuring more than 40.
Iran is engaged in a “comprehensive war” with the United States, Israel, and Europe, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday ahead of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials.
The fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has become one of the most contentious issues in U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, underscoring the complex mix of security, sovereignty and energy concerns surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
President Donald Trump said he held a “very productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, shortly before hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida for talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
Strong winds and heavy rain battered tent camps in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Sunday, offering little protection to thousands of displaced Palestinians struggling to survive winter conditions in the war-ravaged enclave.
U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones have been seen at Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, as the United States steps up surveillance operations in the Caribbean as tensions with Venezuela increase.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment