06:39 AM EDT, 07/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Meta Platforms' ( META ) WhatsApp faces potential exit from Russia, Reuters reported Friday, citing Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the lower house parliament's IT committee.

Gorelkin said it's time for WhatsApp to prepare to leave, noting Meta's designation as an extremist organization in Russia, the report said.

Last month, Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed a law promoting a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services, as Moscow seeks to reduce reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, it added.

Meta's Facebook and Instagram have been banned in Russia since 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Meta didn't immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment

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