Russian Experts Warn of Large-Scale Cyberattack Risk via Foreign Messaging App

Russian authorities flag WhatsApp’s foreign control as a looming vulnerability that could expose users to sophisticated cyber threats.

Russian cybersecurity experts have raised alarms that the widely used messaging service WhatsApp could be weaponized for a large-scale cyberattack against its Russian user base. The core concern centers on the fact that WhatsApp is fully controlled by foreign companies, creating what legislators call a “passive vulnerability.”

Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications, confirmed this assessment in an interview with RIA Novosti. He warned that reliance on a platform under external management not only increases exposure to everyday scams but also makes Russian users prime targets for professional hackers.

Experts stress that it’s only a matter of time before such an attack materializes, given the lack of domestic alternatives and the growing dependence on foreign-operated services. To mitigate these risks, they urge accelerated development of homegrown messaging apps and enhanced user awareness of information security practices.