WhatsApp has accused Russia of targeting its services due to the platform’s commitment to secure, encrypted communication.
The Meta-owned messaging app vowed to keep working to make its encrypted services available in Russia despite new restrictions.
Russian authorities have begun limiting certain calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming the platforms failed to cooperate with law enforcement on fraud and terrorism investigations.
“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 100 million Russian people,” the company stated, as reported by Reuters.
The messaging giant reaffirmed its commitment to protecting user privacy, adding, “We will keep doing all we can to make end-to-end encrypted communication available to people everywhere, including in Russia.”
What you should know
WhatsApp, used by over 100 million people in Russia, is pushing back against government restrictions, insisting that its encryption safeguards users’ privacy against potential surveillance.
