Russia orders block on WhatsApp in messaging app crackdown Russia has ordered a block on WhatsApp as the Kremlin tightens restrictions on messaging apps. Meta-owned WhatsApp said the move aims to push more than 100 million users in Russia to a state-developed app. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC the decision was made "due to [Meta's] unwillingness to comply with the norms and the letter of Russian law" and said Meta could resume operations if it "complies with [the law] and enters into dialogue." Asked whether authorities were trying to force Russians to use the state-developed Max app, Peskov said the "national messenger [is an] available alternative." Russian regulator Roskomnadzor said it was further curbing access to Telegram, citing a lack of security. Telegram is highly popular in Russia and reportedly widely used by its forces in Ukraine; pro-war bloggers have complained the move hampered communications on the ground. Authorities argue WhatsApp and Telegram have refused to store Russian users' data in the country as required by law and allege WhatsApp is used in fraud and extortion, a reason given for encouraging migration to Max. WhatsApp said it was doing everything it could to keep people connected and warned that isolating over 100 million users from private and secure communication would make people less safe. Critics say the state-backed Max app lacks end-to-end encryption and could be used for surveillance, a claim denied by state media. Max is being promoted widely through TV adverts, billboards and by officials. Since 2025 authorities have mandated Max be pre-installed on new devices sold in Russia, and reports say public sector employees, teachers and students are increasingly required to use it. Digital rights group Na Svyazi has reported that several popular services, including YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp Web, Instagram and some foreign news sites, have been removed from the national domain directory and no longer open without a VPN. Telegram founder Pavel Durov said the state was restricting access to force people onto a surveilled app and argued that restricting citizens' freedom was not the right answer.
