Russia confirms WhatsApp ban, says citizens can use ...; Facebook and Instagram too erased, get designated as "extremist"

Russia has confirmed ban on Meta's WhatsApp. Russia said that it has blocked the messaging service WhatsApp over its failure to comply with local legislation. Kremlin urged WhatsApp's 100 million Russian users to switch to a domestic alternative. "As for the blocking of WhatsApp... such a decision was indeed made and implemented," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Peskov said the decision was due to WhatsApp's "reluctance to comply with the norms and letter of Russian law".

The government has asked citizens to use country's own Max app, calling it a good alternative. "Max is an accessible alternative, a developing messenger, a national messenger. And it is an alternative available on the market for citizens," he said. The Russian government directed manufacturers to include Max on all new phones and tablets starting September last year. Released by Russian social media giant VK in early 2025, it has been touted as a "super app" similar to China's WeChat or Alipay, capable of doing everything from accessing government services to ordering a Burger.




Russian authorities reportedly removed the Meta-owned app, which had at least 100 million users in the country until recently, from the equivalent of an online directory run by Roskomnadzor, the internet regulator. That step is said to essentially erase WhatsApp from Russia’s internet, making it nearly impossible to access the service without extensive workarounds. Moscow also removed Meta’s Facebook and Instagram from the directory, leaving them accessible only via VPNs (virtual private networks) after they had been designated as “extremist”.

WhatsApp on ban in Russia

In a statement, WhatsApp said: “Today the Russian government has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive users to a state-owned surveillance app. Trying to isolate over 100mn people from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”

Restrictions on Telegram app

Earlier this week, Russia's internet watchdog said that it would also slap "phased restrictions" on messaging platform, Telegram, which it also accused of not complying with local legislation. Telegram is reportedly more popular in Russia than WhatsApp, especially for consuming news and entertainment.

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