Russia has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in the country, the company said, as the Kremlin continues to tighten restrictions on messaging apps. Meta-owned WhatsApp stated that this move aims to push more than 100 million of its app users in Russia to a state-owned surveillance app. This crackdown comes on the heels of further curbs on Telegram, which has been cited for a lack of security. The Kremlin has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these developments.
WhatsApp criticized the isolation of users from secure communication, stating, 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. Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has issued multiple warnings to WhatsApp to comply with local laws, leading to expectations that the app could be permanently banned by 2026.
State-owned media have characterized this action as justified, with officials noting that WhatsApp and Telegram have failed to store Russian users' data in compliance with legal requirements. Concurrently, Russia is pushing its state-developed app, Max, which acts as a comprehensive platform for messaging and government services but lacks the encryption found in WhatsApp. This app is also mandated to be pre-installed on all new devices sold in Russia, especially for public sector employees and students.
Critics, including Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov, argue that this strategy not only restricts internet freedom but aims to enforce political censorship. Similar measures have been observed in Iran, where users also seek ways to circumvent state-imposed barriers. Durov remarked that restricting citizens' freedom is never the right answer.\
WhatsApp criticized the isolation of users from secure communication, stating, 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. Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has issued multiple warnings to WhatsApp to comply with local laws, leading to expectations that the app could be permanently banned by 2026.
State-owned media have characterized this action as justified, with officials noting that WhatsApp and Telegram have failed to store Russian users' data in compliance with legal requirements. Concurrently, Russia is pushing its state-developed app, Max, which acts as a comprehensive platform for messaging and government services but lacks the encryption found in WhatsApp. This app is also mandated to be pre-installed on all new devices sold in Russia, especially for public sector employees and students.
Critics, including Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov, argue that this strategy not only restricts internet freedom but aims to enforce political censorship. Similar measures have been observed in Iran, where users also seek ways to circumvent state-imposed barriers. Durov remarked that restricting citizens' freedom is never the right answer.\
