Russian legislator has called on WhatsApp providers to leave the country, as the instant messaging app could be placed on the list of banned software.
Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Head of the Information Technology Committee in the Russian Parliament's Lower House, believes WhatsApp should prepare to leave Russia as the app could be included on the country's banned software list, as reported by Endgadget and Fox News local time.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a regulation to reduce the use of foreign-made services and increase the use of domestic ones.
Regulations in Russia are tightening as President Putin recently issued an order to restrict software originating from countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia.
Gorelkin believes that if WhatsApp stops operating in Russia, they could use more domestically-made applications.
In Russia, the Meta group, WhatsApp's parent company, is classified as an extremist organization, leading the country to block Facebook and Instagram in 2022, coinciding with the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The plan to use locally developed software has sparked controversy in Russia, amid concerns that the instant messaging app could be used to track citizens' activities. Some have suggested Russia slow down WhatsApp's speed to encourage consumers to choose the local app, similar to the practice used with YouTube.
