India, Feb. 12 -- After fully blocking Meta's WhatsApp in Russia, the Putin administration has moved to push a state-backed 'national messenger'. This decision comes after Russia blocked WhatsApp for failing to comply with local laws.

In an official statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that WhatsApp was blocked due to "Meta's unwillingness to comply with Russian law."

The move against WhatsApp is a result of six months of pressure on the US-based company. Based on reports, Russia has accused Meta of allowing WhatsApp to be used to "organise and carry out terrorist acts on the territory of the country, to recruit their perpetrators and to commit fraud and other crimes."

The block also reflects a wider push by the authori...