Russian authorities blocked WhatsApp nationwide, impacting up to 100 million users, by removing the app from an online directory that erased it from Russia’s internet, according to the Financial Times. The move follows government promotion of Max, an unencrypted WeChat clone, as a replacement.
This action came after warnings from lawmakers the previous year. The block prevents access to WhatsApp’s encrypted messaging service, which had remained available despite restrictions on other platforms. Russian officials had indicated a preference for domestic alternatives to foreign apps.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, responded with a statement to the Financial Times. “Today the Russian government has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive users to a state-owned surveillance app,” the company said. It added, “Trying to isolate over 100 million people from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”
The government also targeted other services on the same day. It deleted WhatsApp rival Telegram, along with Meta’s Facebook and Instagram apps. Access to YouTube faced degradation, though reports did not confirm complete removal of the service.
Preceding events set the stage for the block. In July 2025, a Russian lawmaker regulating the IT industry stated that WhatsApp would very likely appear on a list of restricted software. Meta had already been designated an extremist organization in Russia. Last year, President Vladimir Putin issued a directive to further limit communication apps from “unfriendly countries” that imposed sanctions on Russia.
The state justified its in-house app by claiming it would shield citizens from fraud and terrorism, citing numerous scammers operating on WhatsApp within the country.
Domestic opposition emerged to related measures. Restrictions on Telegram drew criticism, including from Putin’s allies, because residents near Ukraine’s borders depend on it for drone and missile alerts. The governor of one such region remarked, “I am concerned that slowing Telegram could affect the flow of information, if the situation deteriorates.”
