Russian authorities have fully blocked WhatsApp, affecting up to 100 million users, according to a report by the Financial Times. The move has significant implications for the country’s internet landscape.
The block was implemented by removing the app from an online directory, effectively erasing it from Russia’s internet. This action follows previous government efforts to steer users towards alternative, state-controlled apps. Officials had urged users to switch to “Max,” an unencrypted app that resembles WeChat, in a clear attempt to promote state-owned surveillance tools.
Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, responded to the block with a statement to the Financial Times, saying, “Today the Russian government has attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive users to a state-owned surveillance app.” The company further emphasized that “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 WhatsApp block is part of a broader crackdown on social media and messaging platforms in Russia. The government had previously deleted access to Telegram, a rival messaging app, and removed Meta’s Facebook and Instagram from the internet. YouTube access has also been degraded, although it remains unclear whether the service has been entirely eliminated.
The background to this move includes a statement from a Russian lawmaker in July 2025, who indicated that WhatsApp would likely be restricted. Meta has been labeled an extremist organization in Russia, and last year, Vladimir Putin directed further limits on communication apps from “unfriendly countries” that had imposed sanctions on Russia.
Russian officials justified the measures by claiming that a domestically developed app would protect citizens from fraud and terrorism, citing the presence of numerous scammers on WhatsApp. However, the restrictions on Telegram have drawn domestic criticism, including from some of Putin’s allies. Residents near Ukraine’s borders rely heavily on Telegram for critical information, such as drone and missile alerts.
The governor of one such region expressed concern over the potential impact of slowing Telegram, stating, “I am concerned that slowing Telegram could affect the flow of information, if the situation deteriorates.” This highlights the potential consequences of the government’s actions on the flow of information and the safety of its citizens.
