Russia has completely blocked US-based messaging app WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, for failing to comply with local laws, the Kremlin said on Thursday, urging citizens to switch to a state-backed “national messenger.”
“Due to Meta’s unwillingness to comply with Russian law, such a decision was indeed made and implemented,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He suggested that Russians use MAX, a state-backed messaging platform, reports France24.
“MAX is an accessible and developing national messenger, available on the market for citizens as an alternative,” Peskov said.
Critics have described MAX as a potential surveillance tool, an allegation Russian authorities deny.
The move follows months of mounting pressure on WhatsApp and reflects a broader push by Moscow, amid the ongoing war, to build what it calls a “sovereign” communications infrastructure. Under this approach, foreign tech companies must comply with Russian laws or risk being blocked.
Meta has previously been designated an extremist organisation in Russia. In a statement, WhatsApp said: “Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app.
“Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backward step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”
Some domain names associated with WhatsApp were removed from Russia’s national domain registry, preventing devices inside the country from receiving the app’s IP addresses. As a result, the service is accessible only through a virtual private network (VPN).
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state communications regulator, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Russian authorities have previously restricted or blocked platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. They began limiting WhatsApp’s functionality in August, citing failure to share information with law enforcement in cases involving fraud and terrorism.
In December, Roskomnadzor announced additional measures to gradually restrict the app, accusing it of continuing to violate Russian law and of being used to organise terrorist activities and commit other crimes.
Russian courts have repeatedly fined WhatsApp for failing to remove banned content. Authorities have also insisted that the company establish a local representative office in Russia to comply with regulations, which it has not done.
Since December, many users in Russia have relied on VPNs to access WhatsApp, while others have shifted to rival messaging platforms. Some of those alternatives, including Telegram, have also faced regulatory pressure.
