---
title: "Russian lawmakers urge WhatsApp to prepare for withdrawal from Russia"
description: "The Deputy Chairman of the Information Policy Committee of the State Duma of Russia, Gorelkin, called on WhatsApp to prepare for withdrawal from Russia, as it may be included in the list of unfriendly"
type: "news"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/249188155.md"
published_at: "2025-07-18T15:04:52.000Z"
---

# Russian lawmakers urge WhatsApp to prepare for withdrawal from Russia

> The Deputy Chairman of the Information Policy Committee of the State Duma of Russia, Gorelkin, called on WhatsApp to prepare for withdrawal from Russia, as it may be included in the list of unfriendly foreign companies and face a blockade. He pointed out that 68% of Russian citizens use WhatsApp daily and expects new domestic messaging applications to take its place. Meta has been designated as an "extremist organization" by Russian authorities and access to Facebook and Instagram was blocked in 2022

Anton Gorelkin, Vice Chairman of the Information Policy Committee of the State Duma of Russia, stated on Friday that WhatsApp, owned by Meta (META.US), should prepare to withdraw from Russia.

Gorelkin indicated that WhatsApp is likely to be added to the list of companies from unfriendly countries and will be blocked in Russia. He noted that 68% of Russian citizens use WhatsApp daily and expressed his expectation that new domestic messaging applications will replace it in the Russian market.

Meta has been designated as an "extremist organization" by Russian authorities, who blocked access to Facebook and Instagram in 2022

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> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.