WhatsApp accuses Moscow of trying to block encrypted communication
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: WhatsApp has accused Russia of attempting to block its encrypted messaging service after calls on the messaging app were restricted.
The context: On Wednesday Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor had said that it began restricting certain WhatsApp and Telegram calls via state-media TASS, arguing that the services failed to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases.
"In order to counter criminals, in accordance with the materials of law enforcement agencies, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls in these foreign messengers," the regulator told TASS.
Text messages and voice notes are not currently affected by the Russian restrictions.
On Thursday WhatsApp responded via X: "WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people's right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people. We will keep doing all we can to make end-to-end encrypted communication available to people everywhere, including in Russia."
The sources: TASS, WhatsApp X
