Russia has blocked the messaging service WhatsApp over alleged violations of national law, urging citizens to switch to a state-backed alternative in a move widely viewed as part of a broader crackdown on free speech amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced the decision on Thursday, saying the ban was due to WhatsApp’s “reluctance to comply with the norms and letter of Russian law”.
He advised Russians to instead use MAX, a government-supported platform promoted as an all-in-one service for messaging, access to online government services, and other functions such as digital payments.
However, experts have raised serious concerns about privacy and security on MAX. The platform openly states that it will share user data with authorities upon request and does not use end-to-end encryption, unlike WhatsApp and other popular messaging services. This, analysts warn, leaves users vulnerable to government surveillance.
Last year, Russian authorities began limiting some calls on WhatsApp, owned by US technology company Meta, as well as on Telegram. Officials accused the foreign-owned platforms of refusing to provide information to law enforcement in cases involving fraud and alleged “terrorism”.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, say the restrictions are a clear attempt to tighten state control over digital communication. Amnesty criticised the Kremlin this week over its continued pressure on Telegram.
“As usual, Russian authorities are resorting to the bluntest instrument in their digital repression toolbox: censorship and obstruction under the guise of protecting people’s rights and interests,” Amnesty said in a statement on Tuesday.
A WhatsApp spokesperson said on Wednesday that the company was doing “everything we can” to keep users connected.
“Trying to isolate over 100 million people from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia,” the spokesperson said.
According to the Reuters news agency, since December many Russians have only been able to access WhatsApp through a virtual private network (VPN).
Earlier this week, Russia’s state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, said it would introduce new restrictions on Telegram, which is widely used by Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, after accusing the platform of refusing to comply with the law.
Beyond messaging apps, the Russian government has also blocked major social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, while increasing restrictions on services like YouTube.
In December, authorities also imposed limits on Apple’s video-calling service, FaceTime, further tightening control over digital communication in the country.
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