Russia has effectively blocked the messaging service WhatsApp across the country, according to international media reports. The move came after government agencies removed the app from official online directories, a step widely seen as cutting the service off from Russia’s internet. The decision is estimated to directly affect around 100 million users.
Parent company Meta criticized the decision, saying it appears to be an attempt to push citizens toward state-controlled surveillance apps. The company warned that keeping millions of people away from private and secure communication tools could harm user safety. Russian authorities have instead been promoting a domestically developed app called “Max.”
Russia has already taken action against other platforms, including Telegram, as well as Facebook and Instagram. Access to YouTube has also reportedly been degraded, though it is unclear whether it has been fully blocked.
Last year, a Russian lawmaker overseeing the IT sector said WhatsApp could be added to a list of restricted software. Russia has already designated Meta as an extremist organization, and President Vladimir Putin has instructed tighter controls on communication apps originating from what Russia calls “unfriendly countries.”
While the government argues that domestic apps can better protect citizens from fraud and terrorism, restrictions on Telegram have drawn criticism inside Russia. Residents in border areas near Ukraine, in particular, have expressed concern, as they rely on Telegram for drone and missile alerts, raising fears about disrupted information flow.
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