ISTANBUL

Russia’s state communications watchdog said it is tightening restrictions on WhatsApp, claiming the US-owned platform violates Russian law and is being used to facilitate criminal activity, according to comments carried by the Tass news agency.

Roskomnadzor said the messenger app “continues to violate” Russian legal requirements and alleged it is used to organize illicit actions, recruit individuals for unlawful activities, and conduct fraud targeting Russian citizens.

The authority stressed that WhatsApp has not implemented measures demanded under local laws to prevent and counter criminal offenses.

The regulator said limitations introduced since August have gradually reduced the quality of WhatsApp calls, reiterating that the process is being rolled out in stages to allow users to transition to other services.

It recommended shifting to “national platforms” amid warnings that the app could be fully blocked if the company does not comply with Russian regulations.

Russia has increased pressure on foreign digital platforms in recent years, introducing fines, access restrictions, and data storage requirements. Previous measures targeted major global tech companies over alleged non-compliance with domestic laws.