Russia has reportedly attempted to fully block WhatsApp as authorities intensify efforts to tighten control over digital communications and push users toward a state-developed messaging platform.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, said the move appears designed to force its more than 100 million users in Russia onto a “state-owned surveillance app.”
“Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia,” WhatsApp said in a statement, adding that it was doing everything possible to keep people connected.
The Kremlin defended its stance. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Meta could resume operations if it complies with Russian law and engages in dialogue, but suggested the company “stands no chance” if it refuses.
Russia’s internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, has also tightened restrictions on Telegram, another widely used platform. Authorities cited security concerns and alleged non-compliance with laws requiring companies to store Russian users’ data on servers within the country.
Telegram is particularly popular in Russia and is used by both civilians and military personnel, including Russian forces in Ukraine. Pro-war bloggers have complained that restrictions on Telegram have disrupted communication on the front lines.
State news agency Tass reported earlier this year that WhatsApp could face a permanent block in Russia by 2026. Russian official Andrei Svintsov said such measures are “absolutely justified,” noting that Meta was designated an extremist organisation by Moscow in 2022. Facebook and Instagram have been blocked since then and are accessible only through VPNs.
Digital rights group Na Svyazi (In Touch) said 13 prominent online resources, including YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp Web, Instagram, the BBC, and Deutsche Welle, have been removed from Russia’s National System of Domain Names, effectively cutting off access without a VPN.
Moscow has been promoting a state-developed “super app” called Max, which combines messaging with government services. Critics argue the platform lacks end-to-end encryption, making it vulnerable to state monitoring. Since 2025, Max has been required to be pre-installed on all new devices sold in Russia, and public sector employees, teachers, and students are mandated to use it.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov accused the Russian government of restricting access to independent platforms to push citizens toward a state-controlled alternative for surveillance and political censorship.
“Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer,” Durov said.
