Russia May Restrict WhatsApp Use Over Meta Ties

Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s IT Committee, has said that WhatsApp should start preparing to leave the Russian market. The messenger, owned by Meta — a company officially banned in Russia and labeled as extremist — is “very likely” to be included on the upcoming government list of software from unfriendly nations, Gorelkin explained. The list is being prepared under orders from President Vladimir Putin. “According to statistics, WhatsApp is used daily by 68% of our citizens. In second place is Telegram with 55% daily reach,” said Gorelkin. He noted that WhatsApp's market share could soon be claimed by a national messenger.