Viber is banned in CADLR

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — FRIDAY, 3 JUNE 2022, 19:20

Since 3 June, the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics have temporarily restricted access to the Viber messenger in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Source: Novosti Donbassa [Donbas News], militants’ resource DAN

Details: The self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic said the restriction was "a response to the increasing use of the service as part of the enemy's military infrastructure to obtain geolocation data of our critical military-civilian infrastructure."

Illegal armed groups of the occupied territories of Luhansk Oblast claim that the Ukrainian military allegedly defines targets on which to conduct attacks with the help of Viber. The militants did not explain how the messenger was used for military purposes.

Viber was also temporarily banned in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast  – this "decision" was signed off on by the leader of "DPR" militants Denis Pushilin on 3 June.

It is stated in the resolution that the decision was made to avoid, allegedly, the dissemination of illegal information; inaccurate civilian and military information; direct threats to users from unidentified senders; propaganda regarding violence, information, and psychological pressure; dissemination of sites and programs that may lead to personal data leaks; illegal fraud; disclosure of information about the user's geolocation through the distribution of malicious software or phishing programs; as well as to prevent threats to life and health of citizens.

Earlier, the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics blocked access to Facebook and Instagram in the territory under their control. Russia has also banned access to Facebook and Instagram within its borders, with the Kremlin called Meta an "extremist organisation."

However, it is still possible to access Facebook and Instagram via VPN.