Russian authorities have fully blocked WhatsApp, impacting up to 100 million users, according to the Financial Times. Officials removed the app from an online directory, erasing it from Russia’s internet. The government previously urged users to switch to Max, an unencrypted app resembling WeChat.
Meta issued a statement to the Financial Times: “Today the Russian government has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive users to a state-owned surveillance app.” The company added, “Trying to isolate over 100 million people from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”
The block follows other restrictions. The Russian government deleted access to WhatsApp rival Telegram on the previous day, while also removing Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. YouTube access has been degraded, though it remains unclear if the service has been entirely eliminated.
Background includes a July 2025 statement from a Russian lawmaker regulating the IT industry, who said WhatsApp would likely join a list of restricted software. Meta has been labeled an extremist organization in Russia. Last year, Vladimir Putin directed further limits on communication apps from “unfriendly countries” that imposed sanctions on Russia.
Officials justified the measures by claiming an in-house app would shield citizens from fraud and terrorism, citing numerous scammers on WhatsApp. However, Telegram restrictions have drawn domestic criticism, including from Putin’s allies. Residents near Ukraine’s borders depend on Telegram for drone and missile alerts.
The governor of one such region stated, “I am concerned that slowing Telegram could affect the flow of information, if the situation deteriorates.”
