Russia bans WhatsApp, pushes state-backed alternative | Technology News | Al Jazeera

Rights campaigners say restrictions on messaging apps are a transparent attempt to ramp up control and surveillance. Russia has blocked messaging service WhatsApp over alleged legal breaches, urging users to switch to a state-backed alternative in what is widely seen as a bid to clamp down on free speech amid the war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced the move on Thursday, attributing it to WhatsApp’s “reluctance to comply with the norms and letter of Russian law”. Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Russia evacuates tourists from Cuba as US-engineered fuel crisis deepens list 2 of 3 Russian strike kills father, 3 children in Ukraine, wounds pregnant mother list 3 of 3 Russia says it will stick to limits of expired nuclear treaty if US does end of list He advised Russians to turn instead to MAX, a state-sponsored platform touted as a one-stop shop for messaging, online government services and other services like making payments. Experts warn that MAX, which openly declares it will share user data with authorities upon request, does not use the end-to-end encryption that ensures messages remain private on popular services like WhatsApp, leaving users vulnerable to state snooping. Last
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