WhatsApp has officially been added to Russia's registry of information distributors (ORI), as confirmed by the Roskomnadzor, the country's telecommunications regulator. This mandatory inclusion, which took place on December 19, 2024, signifies the platform's recognition as a mediator of information dissemination under Russian law.
According to the regulator's announcement, services engaging as de facto distributors of information will now also be recognized as such de jure. This regulatory change comprises one of many steps within Russia's stringent legal framework governing online communication channels.
The decision to place WhatsApp, owned by the company Meta—designated as an extremist organization and prohibited within Russia—significantly expands the state's control over digital communications. Users of the messaging service must now be aware of new obligations enforced upon WhatsApp, such as retaining user data for six months, complying with government information requests, and possibly changing privacy policies.
"We confirm the inclusion of WhatsApp in the ORI registry," Roskomnadzor stated, detailing the responsibilities bestowed upon the service as one of the most widely used messaging apps among Russian users, covering 79% of the population aged 12 and older. The agency has earlier imposed similar requirements on other digital platforms, illustrating its recent crackdown on foreign-based communication services.
Essentially, the inclusion of WhatsApp and platforms like Skype within the ORI registry indicates the government's intent to monitor and control the flow of information more efficiently. The legal stipulations demand these services to retain records of user activities, which include messages, voice calls, and video interactions, all for up to one year. This move is part of broader legislation known as the "Yarovaya package" enacted since July 1, 2018, aimed at tightening oversight on internet services operating within the country.
Legal experts express concerns about the operational viability of WhatsApp moving forward under these extensive obligations. "WhatsApp may not comply with these regulations due to its ownership structure and potential conflicts with its operational policies," noted Denis Kuskov, CEO of TelecomDaily. He highlighted the precedence of such decisions, referencing the prohibition faced by other Meta-owned services like Instagram and Facebook due to existing classifications as extremist organizations.
The threshold for data storage set by the regulator extends beyond just user communication histories. It encompasses all forms of user interaction on the service, reinforcing fears among privacy advocates about the potential for government overreach and misuse of data. Following the regulatory announcement, there is speculation among users and stakeholders alike about how this might change their interactions on WhatsApp, not just legally but also culturally within the country.
Adding to the regulatory challenges, the inclusion of the service signals potential financial and structural shifts for WhatsApp, which may need to tailor its infrastructure to meet Russian legal standards. Experts suggest the development of localized data centers within Russian borders to adequately secure user data as mandated.
"If WhatsApp fails to adapt its technical framework to adhere to these regulations, there is tangible risk for it to be blocked entirely within Russia," cautioned another industry expert. This looming question raises eyebrows over the app's future, especially since it faces competition from other messaging services like Telegram, which operates under different compliance requirements and remains accessible.
Rounding out the list of apps included in the ORI registry are major platforms like Wire, Element, and KakaoTalk, demonstrating the government's broader strategy to encompass all popular messaging services under its regulatory umbrella.
Out of over 450 services listed as ORI, the recent additions are primarily geared toward those engaging heavily with Russian users and structures, demanding tighter compliance with the state’s information distribution demands. Such policies evidently aim at safeguarding national security by controlling communication channels and ensuring the government’s access to user data when necessary.
Overall, the inclusion of WhatsApp and its operational adjustments mark pivotal turns for digital communication within Russia, highlighting the increasing tension between user privacy and state oversight. The question now looms whether users will adapt to potential new realities of data-sharing practices or seek alternative communication methods less burdened by state scrutiny.