Audio By Carbonatix
Russia's state communications watchdog threatened on Friday to block WhatsApp entirely if it fails to comply with Russian law, news agencies reported.
In August, Russia began limiting some calls on WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, and on Telegram, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of refusing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases.
On Friday, the Roskomnadzor watchdog again accused WhatsApp of failing to comply with Russian requirements designed to prevent and combat crime.
"If the messaging service continues to fail to meet the demands of Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked," Interfax news agency quoted it as saying.
WhatsApp has accused Moscow of trying to block millions of Russians from accessing secure communication.
Russian authorities are pushing a state-backed rival app called MAX, which critics claim could be used to track users. State media have dismissed those accusations as false.
Latest Stories
-
More US Marines and warships to be moved to Middle East, reports say
44 minutes -
Trump says Putin may be helping Iran ‘a bit’
57 minutes -
Afenyo-Markin demands urgent inclusion of hernia treatment in Medical Trust Fund
1 hour -
Ministry of Foreign Affairs sounds alarm on QNET travel scams
2 hours -
Ashanti Region declares ‘Kente Week’ to celebrate cultural heritage
4 hours -
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil – and will it help Putin?
4 hours -
ETI Jumps GH¢0.22, Enterprise Group gains GH¢0.51 as GSE cap hits GH¢292billion
5 hours -
Police arrest five suspects over daring GHS 200,000 Chinese firm heist
5 hours -
The 27 black billionaires you should know
6 hours -
Thomas Partey to deny rape charges, court hears
6 hours -
Prime Insight to dissect Dzata Jet use by Mahama, the GH¢ 68bn audit report scandal and security service recruitment
6 hours -
Suspend security recruitment now — Minority warns of “scam” amid massive youth rush
6 hours -
Parliament passes bill to cut gold mining tax from 3% to 1%
7 hours -
Kidney health in the spotlight: SHEILD Ghana issues urgent call for national action on World Kidney Day
7 hours -
Ernesto Yeboah writes: For over 20 years, I have fought a silent battle
9 hours