WhatsApp has decided not to introduce its Channels feature for the Russian audience due to the threat of being blocked in the country. This move comes after warnings from Russian lawmakers that the launch of "anti-Russian" channels in the messenger could lead to WhatsApp's ban in Russia.
Even Roskomnadzor, the country's media watchdog, had hinted at the possibility of such restrictions, while the Federation Council suggested the development of a Russian WhatsApp alternative.
An anonymous Meta spokesperson stated that the product will not be available to users within Russia in the near future. Earlier, WhatsApp had announced the launch of Channels in 150 countries, with Russia notably absent from the list.
