Khaberni - Russian authorities have ordered a block on the WhatsApp application, in a new step within the Kremlin's efforts to tighten control over messaging applications, and to push users towards state-supported local alternatives.
Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, has accused Moscow of trying to force more than 100 million Russian users of the app to switch to a state-controlled application, and a company spokesperson said that isolating this large number of users from private and secure communication means is a step backwards and will only reduce the level of security in Russia.
A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, in a statement to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), said that the decision to block stemmed from Meta's refusal to comply with the letter and spirit of Russian laws, noting that the company could resume its operations if it complies with the law and engages in a dialogue with the authorities.
When asked whether Moscow is trying to push citizens to use the government app "Max," Peskov confirmed that the national messaging system is available as an alternative for Russians.
Restrictions also target "Telegram"
In a related context, the Russian telecommunications regulatory authority Roskomnadzor announced that it is about to reduce access to the Telegram app, justifying this based on security concerns. Telegram is one of the most popular applications in Russia, and it is said to be widely used by Russian forces in Ukraine, which has sparked criticism from bloggers who support the war arguing that the restrictions hinder field communications.
Accelerating the sovereign internet project
Since before the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, Moscow has been working on developing a local alternative to the global internet, but these efforts accelerated during the war, parallelly with the intensive promotion of the "Max" app, which the authorities describe as a comprehensive national platform.
"Max" is likened in some reports to the Chinese app "WeChat," as it combines messaging services and government services within what is known as a "super app." Since 2025, authorities have required companies to pre-load the app on all new devices sold in the country.
Reports also stated that public sector employees, in addition to teachers and students, are now required to use it.
In a related context, critics have warned that the application lacks full end-to-end encryption, which could make it vulnerable to hacking or monitoring by the authorities, a claim denied by official media.
Mutual accusations
Moscow states that "WhatsApp" and "Telegram" have refused to store Russian users' data within the country as required by law. Authorities also accuse "WhatsApp" of being one of the main platforms used in fraud and financial extortion operations, relying on this as one of the justifications for pushing users towards "Max."
The official agency "TASS" previously reported earlier this year that a permanent block of "WhatsApp" is expected in 2026. The Russian official Andrei Sventsosov considered such strict measures completely justified after Russia classified "Meta" as an extremist organization in 2022, a classification that led to the ban of its platforms like Facebook and Instagram, though they remain accessible via "VPN" networks.
A broader restriction on internet access
On the other hand, the Digital Rights Project "Na Svyazi" reported that the authorities have removed an increasing number of websites from the national domain name directory, managed by Roskomnadzor.
It noted that 13 popular sites are no longer listed in the system, including YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp Web, Instagram, as well as BBC and Deutsche Welle, making access to them possible only through virtual private networks.
Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov accused the authorities of trying to restrict the service to pressure citizens into using a government app for surveillance and political control, pointing out that Iran previously tried a similar approach by banning "Telegram" and pushing users towards a local alternative. However, citizens found ways to circumvent the restrictions, and Durov said: "Restricting citizens' freedom is never the right solution."
