Russia Threatens Complete Ban on WhatsApp Over Alleged Non-Compliance With Local Laws

Islamabad (Qudrat Daily) — Russia’s state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has warned that it may impose a full ban on the instant messaging application WhatsApp if the platform fails to comply with Russian laws.

According to international media reports, Russian authorities have stated that WhatsApp could be entirely blocked nationwide if it does not follow regulations related to data access and security.

This development comes after earlier restrictions placed in August on WhatsApp and Telegram voice calls. Authorities accused these platforms — including those owned by Meta — of refusing to share user information with law enforcement agencies in cases involving fraud and terrorism.

On Friday, Roskomnadzor reiterated the allegations, stating that WhatsApp has failed to comply with regulations designed to prevent and combat criminal activity.

The regulator emphasized that failure to meet these obligations could result in the app being completely shut down within Russia.