Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced on Friday that it had blocked access to the Viber messaging app, marking the latest in a series of social media platforms to face restrictions by Russian authorities.
In a statement, Roskomnadzor attributed the block to violations related to the prevention of terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.
Rakuten Group, the parent company of Viber, did not immediately comment on the move. Last year, Rakuten’s CEO, Hiroshi Mikitani, had promoted Viber as a counter to what he described as Russian propaganda. “Unlike other social media platforms, we have made it clear that we will block all fake news and propaganda from Russia,” Mikitani told Reuters in a Zoom interview during a visit to Kyiv.
About Viber:
Viber is a widely-used messaging and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) app launched in 2010 by Viber Media. With over 1 billion registered users, it allows free voice and video calls, text messaging, photo and video sharing, and group chats. One of its distinctive features is end-to-end encryption, which ensures secure and private communications between users.
Viber also offers a variety of interactive features, such as stickers, emojis, and games, making it a popular choice. Additionally, a desktop version is available, enabling users to access conversations and make calls from their computers.
The app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, and is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases for extra features and stickers. Viber is a key tool for both personal and business communications, offering a robust and feature-rich platform worldwide.
