Archive · 20 Jul 2025
Putin Orders Crackdown on Foreign Messaging Apps in Russia
Russia's President Putin is looking at new rules about how people in Russia use messaging apps and other programs that come from other countries, especially those Russia doesn't like.
It looks like WhatsApp, which is owned by the same company as Facebook, might be banned.
The Russian government doesn't like Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, and has already banned some of its other services.
Another app, Telegram, is also in the news.
It was made by a Russian-born person, and it's not clear what will happen to it.
Putin instructed the Russian government to create new rules limiting foreign messaging apps.
The directive targets platforms from countries Russia deems 'unfriendly'.
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service believes WhatsApp could be banned.
Meta, which owns WhatsApp, was declared an 'extremist organization' in Russia in 2022.
The status of Telegram, created by a Russian-born entrepreneur, is uncertain.
- Who
- Russian President Vladimir Putin
- What
- Putin ordered new rules limiting foreign messaging apps.
- When
- The directive was published earlier this week.
- Where
- Russia
- Why
- To reduce Russia's reliance on Western technology.
Russian Government
Users
Technological Independence vs. User Access
Russian Government
Reduce reliance on Western Technology
Users
Maintain access to communication platforms.
- Target
- Foreign messaging apps
- Initiator
- Vladimir Putin
- Accusation
- Extremist organization
- Company Affected
- Meta
- App at Risk