On Wednesday afternoon, millions of Russians said they opened the Meta-owned messaging app, WhatsApp, and found it gone. Access to the encrypted messaging service was effectively cut off after Russian authorities moved to “fully block” the Meta-owned platform, according to a company spokesperson. The step follows months of throttling, slowdowns, and partial restrictions that had already made calls unreliable and messages harder to send.
WhatsApp didn’t mince words. “Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app,” the company said. “Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”
At the center of the dispute is control. Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has tightened its grip on foreign tech platforms, demanding compliance with local laws and greater data access. Officials argue companies must “fulfil the legislation.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the BBC that if Meta “enters into dialogue with Russian authorities, then we have the possibility of reaching an agreement.” If it remains “unready to align with Russian legislation, then there is no chance.”
The regulators removed WhatsApp from a state-run online directory managed by Roskomnadzor. That move makes the app nearly impossible to access without technical workarounds such as VPNs. Facebook and Instagram had already faced similar treatment after being labelled “extremist.” YouTube access has also been degraded.
The alternative being promoted is Max, a state-backed messaging app linked to VK, a social network controlled by figures close to the Kremlin. Critics say Max lacks end-to-end encryption and could allow broader monitoring. The government has rejected that claim, describing the push as an effort to build domestic digital infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign platforms.
Telegram has also faced increasing pressure. Its founder, Pavel Durov, responded to new disruptions by saying, “Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer,” adding that “Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.” Even some regional officials have voiced concern that limiting Telegram could disrupt information flows, especially in border regions.
For everyday users, the effect of the move is biting. WhatsApp has roughly 100 million users in Russia. It was used for family chats, business coordination, local alerts, and frontline communication. Removing it changes how people share information day to day.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
