Viber joins the list of other instant messaging services blocked in Russia.
Viber, similar to Whatsapp and Telegram, is relatively unknown in Finland. However, it has many users in some corners of the world. Adobe Stock / AOP
After the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has supported sources of information from which citizens could get opinions and information that differ from the government’s position. The media, social media, and messaging services have also been put to the test in the country.
Most recently, citizens have been blocked from using the instant messaging service Viber.
Owned by the Japanese company Rakuten, Viber works both on the phone and on the computer, just like Whatsapp and Telegram.
In Finland, Viber is a rather rare instant messaging service, but in some corners of the world it has many users. It is very popular, for example, in Eastern Europe – including Russia.
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The one who reported on the ban Kyiv Independent writes that about 26 percent of Russians over the age of 12 use Viber. According to data from the Tass news agency quoted by the magazine, 14 percent of users use the application daily.
Kyiv Independent and The Bleeping Computer according to the reason for the blocking was that Viber allegedly did not comply with regulations to prevent drug trafficking, terrorism and the spread of “illegal information”.
Viber has already been used before forbidden from Russian state authorities. The March 2023 decision also banned other non-Russian messaging services, such as Discord, Telegram, Teams, Whatsapp and the Chinese WeChat.
Later that year, a fine of one million rubles was demanded from Viber in Russia. The reason was the transmission of information related to the war in Ukraine to users.
The big ban on instant messaging in 2023 has not yet affected another popular instant messaging service in Eastern Europe, Signal, which has a Russian background. However, its use was also restricted in Russia in August of this year. The reasons were almost the same as now with Viber.
Bleeping Computer approached Viber about the blocking issue, but the company’s representative was not immediately available to comment on the matter.