Kremlin Imposes Block on WhatsApp Amid Messaging App Crackdown

The Russian government has initiated a ban on WhatsApp, part of an ongoing effort to impose stricter controls on messaging services within the country. With over 100 million users in Russia, the move aims to encourage the population to migrate to a state-run surveillance application. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that this decision was prompted by Meta's failure to adhere to Russian regulations. He noted that Meta could continue operations if it chooses to comply with the law and engage in constructive dialogue with authorities.

When questioned about whether the authorities are compelling Russians to switch to the state-developed Max app, Peskov remarked that the national messenger is simply "an available alternative". The Russian internet regulation agency, Roskomnadzor, recently announced additional restrictions on Telegram, another popular messaging app, citing security concerns.

Telegram has gained substantial traction among Russian users and is reportedly favoured by military personnel involved in Ukraine. However, some pro-war bloggers have expressed frustration, claiming that these new measures are disrupting essential communication.

Prior to the full-scale military intervention in Ukraine in 2022, Russian authorities had already begun considering the establishment of a domestic counterpart to the global internet. This initiative has escalated amid the ongoing conflict, simultaneously promoting the Max messaging platform. Critics of Max have raised alarms that it may serve as a tool for government surveillance, although state media have countered these assertions.

Widespread promotions for the Max app appear across Russian media channels, including television advertisements and billboards, spearheaded by local officials. The Russian government claims that both WhatsApp and Telegram have not complied with legal requirements to store user data within the country. Consequently, Moscow attributes a rise in fraudulent activities to the WhatsApp platform, reiterating the need for users to transition to the Max app.

In response to the ban, WhatsApp asserted that efforts to isolate its users detract from public safety. A statement from the company indicated, "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."

Earlier reports, as per the state-run news agency Tass, suggested that WhatsApp could face a permanent block in Russia by 2026. Andrei Svintsov, a government official, stated that such stringent measures were justified as Meta has been classified as an extremist organisation by Russian authorities. Previously regarded as the most popular messaging platform in the country, WhatsApp, along with other Meta applications like Instagram and Facebook, have been rendered inaccessible via traditional means since 2022, only reachable through virtual private networks.

Digital rights advocacy group Na Svyazi (In Touch) has documented an incremental increase in removals of external websites from Russia's state-run internet directory, overseen by Roskomnadzor. The group reported that 13 prominent websites, including YouTube, Instagram, and the BBC, have been excluded from the National System of Domain Names (NSDI). Sites that are removed cannot be accessed without a VPN.

Moscow's campaign to promote the Max app intensifies, especially as the government has mandated its pre-installation on all new devices sold in the country since 2025. Reports indicate that public sector employees, including teachers and students, are increasingly required to utilise this platform. Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, has criticised the state for restricting access to its service, asserting that the intention is to compel citizens to rely on a platform tailored for surveillance and political manipulation. He compared the Russian approach to that seen in Iran, where Telegram faced similar restrictions, yet citizens found ways to circumvent such bans.

Durov concluded his remarks by stating, "Restricting citizens' freedom is never the right answer."