WhatsApp, the messaging service owned by the American technology company Meta, faces potential blocking by Russia’s communications regulator if channels or information within the platform violate Russian law. Russian authorities indicated that measures depend on the actions and decisions of the platform’s management, and that channels disseminating prohibited content would be required to be removed. If these channels refuse to comply, blocking becomes a possible consequence, according to statements cited by the regulator.
Meta announced the launch of WhatsApp channels, signaling an expansion of the service with a rollout planned across many markets. The company indicated that the new feature would be available in a broad set of countries, including Russia, in the coming months. This development underscores the regulatory pressures faced by global tech platforms operating within the country and the evolving stance of authorities on channel-based communications and information control.
Following the announcement, a senior official in Russia’s State Duma, tasked with information policy, signaled an intent to review the official position on how WhatsApp should operate within the country and under what circumstances blocking could be applied. The official was later backed by another member of the same committee, reinforcing the seriousness with which lawmakers are examining the balance between platform function and national information security concerns.
Observers note that the emergence of WhatsApp channels, if they carry content deemed dangerous or misleading, could raise questions about information security for Russian users. The evolving legal and regulatory framework in Russia continues to scrutinize how foreign-owned messaging services handle user data, channel moderation, and the enforcement of local restrictions, illustrating the broader tension between global digital platforms and national laws.