The Kremlin Targets WhatsApp and Telegram - What's New in Russia.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin demands a ban on the use of foreign software in Russia by 2025. Instant messengers developed in 'unfriendly countries', including WhatsApp and Telegram, are under threat.

WhatsApp and Telegram Under Threat of Blocking

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, risks being blocked in Russia due to the American company being recognized as an 'extremist organization'. As for Telegram, which has Russian origins but a high degree of independence from the government, its status is still undefined.

“The situation with Telegram is ambiguous: although the messenger has Russian origins, its supposedly 'independent' position and refusal to cooperate with the authorities make its status uncertain,” the statement reads.

In response, the Russian authorities have created a new messenger, Max, from VK, which all officials have already been ordered to switch to, and which has several characteristics of malicious software.

“All officials have been instructed to switch to Max. The application has full access to the microphone, camera, contacts, geolocation, and files. It cannot be disabled by standard means, uses root access and system jar files – indicators of malicious software. Data is automatically transmitted to servers associated with VK, which is controlled by Russian special services,” summarized the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Also, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, expressed his position regarding the possible blocking of the Telegram messenger in Ukraine.

The policy of restricting the use of foreign software in Russia may significantly affect the communication of millions of users. Messengers WhatsApp and Telegram could well be blocked in the country, while the new messenger Max from VK is already ready to monitor every step of users with several additional private data automatically sent to servers linked to Russian special services.