WhatsApp most popular messenger in Russia, must comply with law - Peskov

MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) - The WhatsApp messenger is the most popular service in Russia, yet it has certain duties under Russian laws, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"On the whole, WhatsApp is the most popular messenger in many countries, including the Russian Federation, it is the number one service in terms of popularity. Same as any other service, of course it has certain duties under laws of the Russian Federation. All laws must be fulfilled," Peskov told journalists on Friday when asked how the Kremlin would assess the prospect of the messenger's stay in Russia.

First deputy head of the State Duma Information Policy Committee Anton Gorelkin said earlier it was highly probable that the WhatsApp messenger would be listed a resource subject to restrictions.