Russia Escalates Digital Crackdown With Moves to Block WhatsApp

Russia has intensified its campaign to assert control over the country’s digital communications landscape, moving to block WhatsApp just days after imposing new restrictions on Telegram. The latest actions mark a significant escalation in Moscow’s long-running effort to pressure foreign technology companies into compliance while steering millions of users toward a state-backed alternative.

WhatsApp Confirms Attempted Full Block

Meta-owned WhatsApp said Thursday that Russian authorities attempted to “fully block” access to the messaging platform nationwide, a move that could affect more than 100 million users. The company described the action as a deliberate attempt to force citizens onto Max, a government-supported messaging app that WhatsApp has labelled a “state-owned surveillance app.”

In a statement, WhatsApp warned that isolating users from secure, encrypted communication “is a backwards step” that would reduce safety for people in Russia. The platform, already restricted in several ways since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, remains accessible only through VPNs for many users.

Telegram Also Targeted Amid Broader Clampdown

The move against WhatsApp follows fresh restrictions on Telegram earlier this week. Telegram founder Pavel Durov confirmed that Russian authorities had begun limiting access to the platform, accusing the Kremlin of attempting to coerce users into adopting the state-controlled Max app. He described the effort as an “authoritarian move” aimed at political censorship and surveillance.

Durov compared the situation to Iran’s failed attempt to ban Telegram eight years ago, noting that similar pressure tactics did not succeed in shifting users to government-run alternatives.

Kremlin Defends Actions as Legal Compliance Measures

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted that the restrictions stem from WhatsApp’s and Telegram’s alleged failure to comply with Russian data laws, including requirements to store user data within the country. He said Meta could avoid a permanent block only by entering into dialogue with Russian authorities and aligning with domestic legislation. Otherwise, he warned, “there is no chance” of the service returning.

Russian officials have long argued that foreign platforms refuse to cooperate with law enforcement and fail to meet national security standards. Both WhatsApp and Telegram have denied these claims, citing their commitment to user privacy and encryption.

Push Toward State-Controlled ‘Max’ Messenger

At the centre of the dispute is Max, a government-backed messaging app that critics say is designed to centralise surveillance and disseminate pro-Kremlin information. Reporters Without Borders has warned that Max could create an “information blackout” in occupied Ukrainian territories by blocking communication with the rest of the country.

Russian authorities have dismissed these concerns, but the timing of the WhatsApp and Telegram restrictions suggests a coordinated effort to boost Max’s adoption. The app has been promoted as part of Russia’s broader “sovereign internet” strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology.

A Long-Brewing Confrontation

Reports that WhatsApp could face a nationwide block have circulated for years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram have already been banned, and other services—including Apple’s FaceTime—have faced restrictions.

The latest developments underscore the Kremlin’s determination to tighten control over digital communication, even at the cost of disrupting widely used platforms. With nearly 100 million WhatsApp users in Russia and Telegram deeply embedded in the country’s information ecosystem, the impact of these measures is likely to be significant.

What Comes Next

While WhatsApp says it is working to keep users connected, the company has not disclosed how effective the attempted block has been. Telegram, meanwhile, has vowed not to bow to political pressure. As Russia continues to expand its digital restrictions, the future of independent communication platforms in the country remains uncertain