A State Duma deputy from Bashkiria has denied rumors that WhatsApp and Telegram will be fully blocked in Russia. He acknowledged that authorities are indeed recommending a switch to the domestic messenger MAX, but stressed that this is due to security concerns. 

Officials say they can guarantee data protection in a Russian service, while they cannot offer the same assurances for foreign platforms. However, the deputy emphasized that this is a matter of user choice and advisory guidance, not a plan to impose direct restrictions or a total shutdown of WhatsApp and Telegram.

source: ufa

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