A new bill banning anonymous users from using online messenger
apps has been submitted to the Russian parliament.
The plans would require users of apps
such as WhatsApp and Telegram to identify themselves with their cell
phone number.
The companies behind the apps would
also be forced to pass on information to government bodies and
agencies, Russia’s gazeta.ru reported.
If the bill is passed, messenger apps which fail to comply could be charged up to 1 million rubles ($17,800) or blocked in Russia.