Russian lawmakers claim WhatsApp is a national security threat, should prepare to leave the country

A Russian lawmaker who regulates the country's IT mentioned Friday that WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian field warning that the messaging app would likely be put on a list of restricted utility Anton Gorelkin deputy head of the lower house of parliament's information innovation committee commented in a message that MAX a state-backed messaging app integrated with governing body services could gain industry share if WhatsApp which is owned by Meta left the country It's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave the Russian realm Gorelkin explained adding that Meta is designated as an extremist organization in Russia Facebook and Instagram both also owned by Meta have been banned in Russia since when Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in a war that continues RUSSIA SAYS NATO THREATENS WWIII IN LATEST DETERRENCE PLAN THAT COULD TAKE DOWN KALININGRAD 'FASTER THAN EVER'Gorelkin made his comments after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law last month authorizing the growth of MAX as Russia seeks to reduce its dependence on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram Russian lawmakers approved sweeping legal amendments this week proposing fines of up to rubles or for anyone searching for material online the governing body considers to be extremist including Instagram and Facebook and opposition politicians and activists The proposal sparked criticism including from chosen Kremlin backers like Margarita Simonyan a state media executive who announced journalists would be unable to investigate the initiatives of opposition groups such as the Anti-Corruption Fund founded by deceased opposition figure Alexei Navalny Anton Nemkin a member of the parliament's IT committee stated it was determined that WhatsApp would leave Russia The presence of such a institution in Russia's digital space is in fact a legal breach of national assurance Nemkin stated according to TASS a state-owned news agency Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared all services must follow Russian law when appealed if WhatsApp may leave the country Russia has long attempted to establish what it describes as digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services But critics have expressed concerns that Russia's new state-backed messaging app may track its users' exercises and have suggested Russia could slow WhatsApp's speeds to encourage downloads of the new app YouTube has had its audience in Russia decline significantly in the last year to fewer than million daily users from more than million in mid- because slower download speeds have made it more tough for people to access the video platform Shares in state-controlled instrument company VK which is emerging homegrown digital services like VK Video a rival to YouTube grew Friday RUSSIA THREATENS WEST WITH 'PREEMPTIVE STRIKES' AS NATO LOOKS TO DELIVER PATRIOTS 'AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE'The Kremlin issued a list of instructions this week from Putin including a directive to introduce additional restrictions on the use in Russia of application including communication services produced in unfriendly countries that have imposed sanctions against Russia Putin gave a deadline of Sept Referring to Putin's order Gorelkin commented WhatsApp would likely be among the communication services to face new restrictions Reuters contributed to this review