Russian Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev said that the issue of blocking YouTube video hosting and WhatsApp messenger in the country is not on the agenda. He made a statement on the subject on the sidelines of Kazan Digital Week. RIA News.
September 17, Chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee Alexander Khinshtein aforementionedYouTube will not be blocked in Russia until a full-fledged analogue of the service appears.
Last week at Roskomnadzor statedWhatsApp may be blocked in the Russian Federation if prohibited information appears on the Messenger’s channels.
The American IT company Meta (recognized as extremist and banned in Russia) announced the opening of its WhatsApp channels on the evening of September 13, 2023. The new function is expected to be launched in 150 countries, including Russia, in the coming months.
Shortly after this announcement, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee Anton Gorelkin authorized a review of the official position of the Russian Federation regarding the operation and blocking of the WhatsApp messaging application in the country. Later Gorelkina supported Chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee Alexander Khinshtein.
WhatsApp was also blocked in Russia before accepted and in the Federation Council.