Russia clamps down on WhatsApp and Telegram over data sharing – The Guardian

Russia has announced restrictions on the messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of failing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases. Moscow has clashed with foreign tech platforms for several years over content and data storage in a simmering dispute that intensified after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Critics say Russia is trying to expand its control over the country’s internet space. Vladimir Putin has authorised the development of a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, as Moscow seeks to establish what it calls digital sovereignty by promoting homegrown services and reducing its dependence on foreign-owned platforms. “In order to counteract criminals … measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messengers,” the Interfax news agency quoted the communications regulator Roskomnadzor as saying. “No other restrictions have been imposed on their functionality.” Russia’s digital ministry said: “Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored after they start complying with Russian legislation.” In a statement, WhatsApp’s owner, Meta, said: “WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over
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