WhatsApp could soon be restricted in Russia, a top lawmaker warned on Friday. The government is making new efforts to promote local platforms.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the Duma’s IT committee, said Meta’s messaging app is likely to be added to a list of restricted foreign software.
“It’s time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian market,” he posted on Telegram.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, is officially listed as an extremist organization in Russia.
Facebook and Instagram have already been banned since 2022, after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law to develop a state-backed messaging app, designed to integrate with government services.
The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
The Kremlin has long promoted the idea of digital sovereignty, pushing Russian-made tech over Western alternatives.
That effort has intensified since many foreign companies left the market following sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.
This week, Putin issued new directives targeting tech from “unfriendly countries”—those that have imposed sanctions on Russia.
He set a deadline of September 1 for the rollout of additional restrictions, which may include messaging apps.
Gorelkin said WhatsApp is likely to be on the restricted list.
He added that the state-approved alternative could see faster adoption if WhatsApp exits the market.
Meta has not responded to the latest statement or requests for comment.
For millions of Russian users, it may mean saying goodbye to one of the world’s most widely used messaging tools—whether by law or by design.
