Russia's Crackdown on Messaging Apps: Threat to WhatsApp Users

Fri Feb 13 2026 04:39:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bid to promote a state-developed surveillance app, Russian regulators intensify their attempts to block WhatsApp, affecting over 100 million users.

Russia has begun the process to fully block WhatsApp as part of its ongoing restrictions on messaging apps, pushing its citizens towards a state-sponsored alternative. This move has raised concerns over privacy and communication security, particularly among the 100 million WhatsApp users in the country. WhatsApp has criticized the actions, equating them to an attempt by the state to suppress secure communication.

Russia has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in the country, as the Kremlin continues to tighten restrictions on messaging apps.

Meta-owned WhatsApp stated that the move aims to push more than 100 million of its app users in Russia to a state-owned surveillance app. This decision follows further curbs on access to Telegram, citing a lack of security; Telegram is estimated to have a user base comparable to WhatsApp in Russia.

The Kremlin has not yet responded to requests for comment on this development, but WhatsApp condemned the initiative, asserting that isolating users from private communication is detrimental to their safety. They continue to work on keeping users connected despite the challenges.

Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has repeatedly warned WhatsApp to comply with local laws, and state-owned media reports indicate that WhatsApp could face a permanent block by 2026.

Statements from Russian officials claim that such measures are justified, as Meta has been designated an extremist organization in Russia since 2022, leading to the blocking of platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.

The Russian government has promoted a state-developed app called Max, likened to China's WeChat, which consolidates messaging and government services without encryption. Since 2025, new devices sold in Russia must come pre-installed with Max, and certain public sector employees are required to use this platform.

Critics, including Telegram's CEO, argue that these restrictions serve to enhance state surveillance and deny citizens their right to secure communication.

Similar strategies have been observed in other countries, like Iran, where bans on foreign messaging apps resulted in citizens finding ways around them. Telegram's CEO emphasized that restricting citizens' freedom is not an effective solution.