WhatsApp has accused Russian authorities of attempting to block access to the messaging platform in a bid to steer users toward a state-backed alternative.
The Meta-owned app said the move could affect tens of millions of users across the country.
“Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backward step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected,” WhatsApp said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Russia’s state-supported messaging platform, Max, was launched in March 2025 by domestic technology company VK as an alternative to foreign-owned services such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
Authorities have since ramped up promotion of the app, mandating that it be pre-installed on all smartphones sold in Russia beginning September 1.
According to SEO analytics firm Backlinko, Russia has the fourth-largest monthly active WhatsApp user base globally, with an estimated 72 million users — behind Indonesia, Brazil and India.
Russian Media Says WhatsApp Access Restricted
Russian media outlets reported Wednesday that WhatsApp has become largely inaccessible in the country.
Gazeta.ru, a Moscow-based online publication, said the platform’s domain had been fully blocked and could not be accessed without a VPN or similar circumvention tools.
Citing state news agency TASS, the outlet also reported that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said WhatsApp would need to comply with Russian law and demonstrate a willingness to engage in dialogue in order to be unblocked.
Moscow began restricting certain calls on WhatsApp and Telegram last year, accusing the companies of failing to share information with law enforcement and of not storing Russian user data domestically.
In January, Andrey Svintsov, a deputy in the State Duma, told TASS that Russia’s telecommunications regulator could move to fully block WhatsApp by the end of 2026.
Messaging Restrictions During Political Tensions
Russia is not alone in tightening controls over messaging services during periods of political tension.
In December, Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine urged supporters to download Jack Dorsey’s decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app Bitchat, alleging that authorities were planning to restrict communications ahead of elections.
Similarly, Madagascar saw a surge in Bitchat downloads in September amid protests and communication disruptions. The spike followed similar increases in Nepal and Indonesia during episodes of unrest earlier that month.
