WhatsApp, the messaging service owned by Meta, may be forced to exit the Russian market as lawmakers warn that the app faces additional legal restrictions despite its popularity in the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his government this week to draft new regulations by September that would impose additional controls on software developed in so-called “unfriendly” nations. Some Russian legislators have singled out WhatsApp as a likely target.

“WhatsApp should be preparing to leave the Russian market,” said Anton Gorelkin, deputy chair of the State Duma’s committee on information policy and technology, in a social media post on Friday.

Another committee member, Anton Nemkin, told TASS that WhatsApp’s continued presence constitutes “a legalized breach of national security.” He added the app’s “fate in Russia is sealed.”

Both lawmakers pointed to Meta’s prior designation in Russia as a distributor of extremist content. That label followed the company’s decision in 2022 to permit content calling for violence against Russians in the context of the Ukraine conflict – an exemption from its standard hate speech policies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that WhatsApp, like all companies operating in Russia, must comply with national laws. However, he declined to say whether a formal ban is under consideration.

WhatsApp is Russia’s most-used messenger service, according to surveys. Research firm Mediascope estimated its monthly user base at 97.4 million as of April.

The Russian government is promoting the development of a domestic messaging platform which would be integrated with the country’s national ID system. Officials hope the service will eventually enable secure access to government and financial services. The app is currently in public beta testing. Gorelkin said the domestic platform would be a natural replacement for WhatsApp.

Russia already imposes regulatory limits on messaging services. For example, since last month, banks and businesses handling personal data have been required to use secure communication channels to reduce the risk of fraud.

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