In a significant escalation of internet restrictions, Russia has moved to “fully block” access to the WhatsApp messenger application, according to a statement from the company on Thursday. This action is part of Moscow’s broader strategy to exert tighter control over its digital landscape.
Kremlin’s push for state-controlled messaging
The Russian government is also advocating for the use of Max, a state-sponsored messaging app. WhatsApp described Max as “a state-owned surveillance app” in its public response to the situation. The company expressed concern over the potential consequences of isolating over 100 million users from secure and private communication, stating that such measures could compromise safety for individuals in Russia.
As part of its ongoing campaign, Moscow has previously banned several Meta platforms following its military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Currently, Facebook and Instagram are accessible only through virtual private networks (VPNs), and discussions about WhatsApp potentially facing similar restrictions have been circulating for the last four years.
Government demands and the response from tech companies
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, conveyed to state-run media that Meta has been accused of not adhering to Russian regulations concerning WhatsApp’s operations. He stated, “This is again a question of fulfilling the legislation” and encouraged Meta to engage in discussions with Russian officials or face blocking.
“If the Meta corporation fulfills this and enters into dialogue with Russian authorities, then we have the possibility of reaching an agreement,” Peskov stated.
Earlier this week, Moscow also began implementing restrictions on the Telegram messaging app. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, confirmed these limitations and criticized them as an attempt by the Russian government to shift citizens to a state-controlled alternative designed for surveillance and censorship. Durov remarked, “This authoritarian move won’t change our course. Telegram stands for freedom and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
He drew parallels between the current situation in Russia and events in Iran eight years ago, highlighting that Iran’s strategy of banning Telegram ultimately failed.
Despite Durov’s controversial relationship with the Kremlin, which includes his departure from Russia in 2014 after resisting demands to dismantle opposition communities, his interactions with the Russian government have raised questions about his position. Investigations have revealed that Durov returned to Russia over 50 times between 2015 and 2021. His recent detention in France related to a probe into criminal activities on Telegram adds further complexity to his stance.
The Russian government justifies its actions by claiming that foreign technology firms, including those behind WhatsApp and Telegram, have not stored Russian users’ data domestically as mandated by law. Since 2025, the authorities have required all new devices sold in the country to have the domestically-developed Max app pre-installed.
Furthermore, public sector employees, teachers, and students are mandated to use this platform. The Data Localization Law, enacted in 2015, requires companies, including foreign entities, to store and process personal data of Russian users on servers located within Russia. Following the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine, the Kremlin has intensified its regulatory measures. Starting January 1, 2026, internet services must store user messages for three years and make them available to security agencies upon request, affecting all types of communication, including audio, video, text, and metadata, even if the user has deleted the content.