Russia blocks WhatsApp nationwide, promotes state-backed MAX as messaging controls tighten

Russia has fully blocked access to WhatsApp, escalating a long-running dispute with Meta and marking a significant step in the Kremlin’s efforts to consolidate control over the country’s digital communications infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the decision followed what authorities described as Meta’s failure to comply with Russian legislation. He indicated that the U.S.-owned company could resume operations if it aligns with local legal requirements and enters into dialogue with officials. In the meantime, the government is directing users toward MAX, a state-developed messaging platform positioned as a domestic alternative.

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 backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.…

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) February 12, 2026

The restriction effectively cuts off one of Russia’s most widely used messaging services, previously estimated to have more than 100 million users in the country. In recent months, access to WhatsApp had already been limited, with many users relying on virtual private networks (VPNs) after domain entries associated with the service were removed from Russia’s national domain name system. Without those entries, devices inside Russia could no longer automatically retrieve WhatsApp’s IP addresses.

The move comes amid a broader campaign to enforce data localization and surveillance regulations. Russian law requires foreign technology companies to store user data on servers located within the country. From January 1, 2026, internet services operating in Russia must also retain user messages — including audio, video, text and metadata — for three years and provide them to security agencies upon request, even if the content has been deleted by users. Authorities have argued that platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram failed to meet these requirements and have been used in fraud and terrorism-related cases.

Meta, which has been designated an extremist organization in Russia since 2022, said it would seek to maintain connectivity for users. The company characterized the block as an attempt to isolate Russian users from private and secure communication. Facebook and Instagram have already been banned in the country and remain accessible primarily through VPN services.

At the same time, regulators have tightened restrictions on Telegram, citing security concerns. Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov accused Russian authorities of attempting to force citizens onto a state-controlled alternative designed for surveillance and political censorship. Pro-war bloggers have reported disruptions to communications following the curbs.

The state-backed MAX platform has been aggressively promoted through advertising campaigns and official channels. Since 2025, it has been mandated for pre-installation on all new devices sold in Russia, and reports indicate that public sector employees, teachers and students are increasingly required to use it. Critics argue that MAX lacks end-to-end encryption and could enable state monitoring, an allegation officials deny. Authorities describe the app as a “national messenger” intended to integrate communication tools with government services.

The block on WhatsApp is the culmination of months of incremental pressure. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulator, began restricting certain functions last year, including voice calls, and courts have fined the company for failing to remove content deemed illegal. Lawmakers have framed the tougher stance as justified given Meta’s extremist designation and what they describe as persistent non-compliance.

Public reaction has been divided. Some residents in Moscow expressed concern over shrinking digital freedoms and limited choice, while others said they would migrate to alternative platforms. Activists staged a brief protest outside Roskomnadzor’s offices, calling for an unregulated internet.

The decision reflects Moscow’s broader strategy to build what officials describe as a “sovereign” internet — one in which foreign-owned platforms either operate under domestic rules or exit the market. With WhatsApp now fully blocked and Telegram under growing constraints, Russia’s messaging landscape is shifting rapidly toward state-backed infrastructure.