WhatsApp Faces Exit
Russian lawmakers have said that WhatsApp must get ready to stop working here by September first. They say the app from Meta now threatens national safety. They point out that Facebook and Instagram already cannot run in Russia since twenty twenty-two. Also, they say Meta did not share data with our security teams. So the fate of WhatsApp has no real change left.
Deadline for Unfriendly Software
President Putin signed a rule that hits apps from countries that have made rules against Russia. It starts on September first. It says these apps must let authorities see user data or leave. Lawmakers say they will add WhatsApp to the list that will block it. Anton Gorelkin called the move urgent. He said that Russia must use homegrown tools and that foreign apps must obey our laws first.
State Chat App Readied
At the same time, the state is rolling out its own chat app. Officials call it Max and say it will link with government services. They say users will log in with a single ID. They will sign papers online and check state records all in one place. The tech minister said Max can make calls in better quality than foreign apps now. He said it can do more secure video and file sharing.
Push for Digital Independence
Moscow has cut off many foreign tools since the twenty twenty-two events in Ukraine. It shut down LinkedIn and Viber. It already slowed down YouTube. Now it will do the same with WhatsApp if it fails to meet rules. A digital rights expert warned that speeds could drop on purpose to push users to Max. And a senator said, if the app does not hand over user logs, then it will go dark here.
My Analysis
I find this move very bold. It shows that the state will back local tech at full speed. It also makes people choose between privacy or using a secure home app. Some users may quit the platform. Others may switch fast. And big firms will rethink their links here.
I think this step will hit small firms that use WhatsApp to reach clients. It will push people to learn a new tool by fall. That may slow some work in the short run. But it also opens doors for new apps to grow in Russia.
Sources: BBC
