WhatsApp messenger owned by Meta (recognized as extremist and banned in Russia) may be blocked in Russia if a channel creation function appears there. This is the view in an interview with RT. expressed Igor Bederov, Head of T.Hunter Information and Analytical Research Department.
The expert noted that the introduction of channels in WhatsApp will lead the messenger to follow a similar path to Telegram and WeChat. This will make it a tool for mass dissemination of information. According to the expert, this way of working will be subject to the restrictions of Russian legislation regarding the landing of data on the territory of the country.
“Russian authorities will have no choice but to prevent or try to prevent this on the territory of the country,” Bederov said.
On September 13, it was learned that WhatsApp launched the channel creation function on messenger in more than 150 countries. In the message published on the official WhatsApp blog, it was noted that the channel creation feature will be available to every user in the coming months.
From now on, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee Anton Gorelkin accepted Review of the official position on the operation of WhatsApp in Russia.
Previously, students’ parents learned About an attack on a school in the Rostov region via WhatsApp.