WhatsApp slowed down in Russia after Ushakov-Witkoff talks leak - Russian MP

MOSCOW. Dec 1 (Interfax) - The slowing down of the WhatsApp messenger in Russia happened after a recent leak of diplomatic talks, first deputy head of the State Duma's Information Policy Committee Anton Gorelkin said.

"The information that I have indicates that an additional, and important, trigger for expediting measures against WhatsApp was the recent leak of diplomatic talks," Gorelkin said on his Telegram channel on Monday.

"The conclusion was drawn that the owners of this messenger not only turn a blind eye to its use for unlawful purposes but actively participate in it themselves," he said.

"The company has not publicly reacted in any way to the statement by [the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media] Roskomnadzor," Gorelkin said.

On November 26, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that he or U.S. Special Presidential Representative Steve Witkoff could have hardly leaked the information from their phone call, as it would be in neither of their interest.

"This is all very unusual! [...] True, there are contacts via encrypted channels, where leaks hardly ever occur unless either side does it on purpose. Sometimes there are also conversations on WhatsApp, which, I suppose, someone can apparently listen in on. We can hardly assume that participants of the conversation are the source of the leak," Ushakov said in an interview with Kommersant.

On November 28, Russian telecoms watchdog Roskomnadzor said that restrictions are gradually being imposed against the WhatsApp messenger in Russia due to its refusal to observe requirements, and that they will continue and WhatsApp may be fully blocked.

"WhatsApp continues violating Russian legislation. The messenger is being used for organizing and carrying out terrorist actions on the territory of the country, for recruiting their perpetrators, for fraud and other crimes against our citizens," the Roskomnadzor press service told reporters.

"WhatsApp is not observing requirements aimed at preventing and stopping the commission of crimes on the territory of Russia," which is why Roskomnadzor "is consistently imposing restrictions against WhatsApp," it said.

Restrictions on calls via WhatsApp started to be imposed in August, Roskomnadzor said in the media. Restrictions are being introduced gradually to allow users to switch to other messengers. "We recommend that users switch to national services," it said.

"Restrictions will continue to be imposed against WhatsApp," Roskomnadzor said.

"If the requirements of Russian legislation are not observed by the messenger, it will be fully blocked," Roskomnadzor said.

On August 13, the Roskomnadzor press service reported a "partial restriction of calls" on Telegram and WhatsApp in accordance with law enforcement agencies' materials for preventing crime.

On October 22, Roskomnadzor announced the partial blocking of WhatsApp and Telegram in Russia as part of efforts to fight crime.

Russian users have reported disruptions on WhatsApp over the past few days.