Key Highlights

• Russia has fully blocked WhatsApp, its most-used messaging app.
• The Kremlin urges citizens to shift to MAX, a state-backed alternative.
• Authorities cite repeated legal violations by Meta-owned WhatsApp.
• The move signals tighter control over Russia’s digital communication space.

Russia has fully blocked WhatsApp, cutting off access for millions of users across the country. The Kremlin confirmed the decision on Thursday, saying the Meta-owned messaging platform failed to comply with local laws. The move matters because WhatsApp remains Russia’s most widely used messenger, with deep reach across personal and professional communication.

Why did Russia block WhatsApp?

According to the Kremlin, Russia acted after months of warnings. Officials said WhatsApp repeatedly violated national regulations, including requirements to cooperate with law enforcement and maintain a local presence.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the block followed Meta’s refusal to comply. Meta, the parent company, is already designated an extremist organization in Russia. As a result, authorities enforced a complete shutdown rather than partial restrictions.

How the WhatsApp block works

Technically, Russia removed WhatsApp-related domains from its national domain registry. As a result, devices inside the country no longer receive the app’s IP addresses. Users can now access WhatsApp only through a VPN.

The country’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, had already limited WhatsApp services since August. Voice calls stopped working months ago. December brought tighter controls. This week’s action marks the final step.

The company responded by warning that isolating over 100 million users from secure communication reduces safety and access to private messaging.

What is MAX, the app Russia is promoting?

Following the ban, the Kremlin encouraged citizens to use MAX, a government-supported messaging platform. Officials describe MAX as a “national messenger” designed to replace foreign services.

MAX integrates several government-related services into a single app. Authorities say this improves daily digital access. Critics, however, have raised concerns about surveillance. Russian officials deny these claims.

How are Russians reacting?

Reactions on the streets of Moscow remain mixed. Some users expressed anger, citing limited choice and digital freedom. Others appeared indifferent, saying alternative apps already exist. Many users continue to rely on VPNs to access the app, at least for now.

Activists briefly protested outside Roskomnadzor’s offices, calling for an unregulated internet.

Why this matters beyond WhatsApp

The block reflects Russia’s broader push for a “sovereign internet.” Foreign platforms now face a clear choice. Follow local rules or exit the market. Similar restrictions already apply to Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat.