WhatsApp Fully Blocked in Russia
The Russian Federation has officially blocked the popular messaging service WhatsApp, effective Thursday, February 12, 2026. The Kremlin confirmed the decision, attributing it to WhatsApp's failure to comply with local legislation. This action marks the culmination of a months-long campaign by Russian authorities to tighten control over digital communications and promote domestic platforms. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the decision was made and implemented due to 'Meta's unwillingness to comply with Russian law'.
Escalating Restrictions on Foreign Messengers
The full block of WhatsApp follows a series of escalating restrictions implemented by Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor. The phased campaign began in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor limited voice and video calling on both WhatsApp and Telegram, citing an anti-fraud initiative. In October 2025, new user registrations for both platforms were blocked. By December 2025, restrictions were extended to Apple FaceTime and Snapchat, with over 90% of connection attempts to WhatsApp's servers from within Russia reportedly failing. The final phase of the blockade involved removing WhatsApp's primary domain from Russia's National Domain Name System servers, rendering the service inaccessible without the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Max: The State-Backed 'Superapp' Alternative
In conjunction with the WhatsApp block, Russian authorities are actively promoting Max, a domestic messaging service developed by VK. Max, released in 2025, is designed as a 'superapp' that integrates various functionalities beyond standard messaging, including:
- Social media functions
- Digital ID verification
- Electronic signatures
- Access to electronic Gosuslugi (municipal services)
- Secure payments
The Russian government has promoted Max as a 'national messenger', with Maksut Shadaev, Minister of Digital Development, stating in June 2025 that it is planned to be developed into an official national Russian messenger, similar to platforms like WeChat in China. Since September 2025, Max has been pre-installed on all smartphones sold in Russia. Critics, however, express concerns that Max lacks end-to-end encryption and could be used for surveillance, a claim denied by Russian state media.
Reactions and Implications
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, issued a statement accusing the Russian government of attempting to 'fully block' the platform 'in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app'. The company added that '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,' and affirmed its commitment to 'continue to do everything we can to keep users connected'. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that restrictions could be lifted if Meta complies with Russian legislation. This move is seen by critics and rights campaigners as a transparent attempt by the Kremlin to increase control and surveillance over internet use, particularly amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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