Russia has officially stated that it has blocked WhatsApp, and citizens are to use the state-supported messaging service Max. The relocation is a major step in the history of the government to increase its control over digital communications and minimize its dependence on foreign platforms of technology.
The announcement itself is only days after Russian officials started blocking access to another popular messaging app in the country, Telegram. Telegram is the key player in the information ecosystem of Russia with millions of users, including military personnel, top officials, state media institutions and governmental agencies like the Kremlin and state communications regulator Roskomnadzor.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, reported that the move to ban WhatsApp was made since the parent company was supposed to be breaking the law of Russia. He has not given any details regarding the violations but rather stressed his point that the authorities had done so because the company was not able to meet the stipulations of the law. Max has been characterized by Peskov as a rival domestic alternative, which he termed as a growing national messenger that can be consumed by Russian citizens.
The WhatsApp (owned by Meta which is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) reacted by saying that the Russian government had tried to completely block WhatsApp. The company described the action as an attempt to make users move to a state-controlled application. It cautioned that separating over 100 million users to secure and confidential communication would hinder protection instead of boosting it, it would proceed to ensure that people remain connected.
Though WhatsApp usage has been reported to be possible in Russia via virtual private networks (VPNs), the governments have continuously blocked them. Authorities have blocked hundreds of VPN and have enacted laws that prohibit encouraging the use of services that assist people in going around state-imposed restrictions on the internet.
This is not the first of such cases when Russia attacked foreign messaging sites. In August 20 25, Roskomnadzor placed restrictions on video and voice communications using WhatsApp and Telegram by claiming it had to curb criminal behavior. The Russian has already blocked Facebook, Instagram and X in greater online content control.
The Max app that the government is installing on new devices by default is only a part of a more comprehensive plan to displace the foreign digital platforms with domestic ones. Max, which is a combination of messaging, payments, calls, and access to government services, is designed as an all-in-one super-app, closely similar to WeChat in China. However, critics have come out with counterarguments on privacy and surveillance claiming that the platform allows a lot of tracking and has no good encryption protection.
In the meantime, the founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has promised to defy any limits, claiming that the app will remain an exercise in freedom of speech and privacy of the user despite the increasing pressure by Russian authorities.