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WhatsApp should prepare to stop operating in Russia, official says

A lawmaker suggests blocking WhatsApp could bolster state-backed messaging app.

Anton Gorelkin, the deputy head of the lower house of parliament's IT committee, said that it's very likely that WhatsApp will be placed on a list of restricted software, as Reuters reports. This week, President Vladimir Putin issued a directive for the nation to further restrict software (including communication apps) stemming from "unfriendly countries" that have sanctioned Russia, with a deadline of September 1. Gorelkin suggested that forcing WhatsApp to stop operating in Russia could help the state-backed app gain more market share.

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