FSB to Demand User Data and Messages from Viber

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) will require Viber to provide user data and message history upon request. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media and communications regulator, has added the popular messaging app Viber to its registry of Information Dissemination Organizers (ORI). This means Viber joins other platforms like WhatsApp and Skype, which are obligated to hand over user data, information about user activities and interactions, message content, photos, and audio or video calls (if available) to law enforcement agencies upon request.

It’s worth noting that Roskomnadzor officially restricted access to Viber back in mid-December of last year. The agency cited violations of Russian legal requirements for information dissemination organizers, which are necessary to prevent the use of messengers for terrorist and extremist purposes, recruitment for such activities, drug sales, and the distribution of illegal content.

Other messaging apps currently listed in the ORI registry, such as WhatsApp, have also experienced service disruptions. The saga of Telegram’s attempted blocking in 2018–2020 is still fresh in many users’ minds.

Previously, Roskomnadzor stated that some messengers are added to the registry forcibly, as they are “de facto information dissemination organizers.” The agency has not disclosed any further plans regarding these platforms. However, experts believe this move could lead to fines and the blocking of messengers that refuse to comply with Russian surveillance laws.