WhatsApp messaging app faces risk of being banned in Russia

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, a company that is currently banned in Russia, could be added to a list of software from countries that Russia considers “hostile.”

According to a VNA reporter in Moscow, Mr. Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma's Information Policy Committee, said that the WhatsApp messaging application is facing the risk of having to leave the Russian market in the near future.

Mr. Gorelkin said WhatsApp, owned by Meta, a company that is currently banned in Russia, could be added to the list of software from countries that Russia considers “hostile.” If this happens, WhatsApp will have to consider withdrawing from the Russian market.

According to current statistics, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Russia, with 68% of people using it daily, while Telegram is in second place with a usage rate of 55%.

Meanwhile, the Russian government is also promoting domestic messaging app Max as a potential competitor to replace foreign apps.

Telegram - an app registered in the British Virgin Islands and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - is less likely to be added to the restricted software list.

The condition is that the application must comply with Russian law and demonstrate goodwill to continue operating in this market.

The move comes after President Vladimir Putin asked the government to submit proposals on increasing restrictions on software produced in other countries, with a deadline of September 1./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ung-dung-nhan-tin-whatsapp-doi-mat-nguy-co-bi-cam-tai-nga-post1050627.vnp