Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp has criticized authorities in Russia after the platform was fully blocked across the country, accusing Moscow of attempting to push millions of users toward a state-controlled surveillance application.
The messaging giant issued a rare and direct response on Thursday, February 12, after Russian regulators moved to disable access to WhatsApp by removing key domains — including whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com — from the country’s national Domain Name System (DNS).
The measure has rendered the platform largely inaccessible without the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), cutting off ordinary access for a vast number of users.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, February 12, WhatsApp warned the move could undermine digital safety and privacy in Russia.
“Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app. 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. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
WhatsApp and Telegram targeted in Russia
The shutdown of WhatsApp comes alongside escalating pressure on Telegram, another widely used messaging platform in Russia.
Authorities earlier in the week introduced what they describe as “phased restrictions” on Telegram, resulting in widespread reports of outages and slower performance across the country.
Russia’s telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor, justified the move by accusing Telegram of failing to remove content authorities classify as criminal or terrorist.
The regulator said restrictions would remain in place until what it called violations of Russian law are resolved.
“Personal data is not protected, and there are no effective measures to counter fraud or the use of the messaging service for criminal and terrorist purposes,” Roskomnadzor said.
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Telegram has however rejected those claims and insists it actively works to combat harmful use of its platform.
Despite the restrictions, the messaging app remains deeply embedded in Russia’s communications ecosystem.
Millions of civilians rely on it daily, while government agencies, state media, and senior officials — including the Kremlin itself — also use the app, making it a complex target for censorship.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov on February 10 accused Russian authorities of attempting to force citizens toward a government-controlled alternative.
“Russia is restricting access to Telegram in an attempt to force its citizens to switch to a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship,” Durov said, adding that similar attempts by Iran in the past ultimately failed. “Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
State-backed “Max” app
The WhatsApp and Telegram restrictions come at a time Russian authorities are actively promoting government-endorsed “super-app” Max as a domestic alternative to foreign platforms.
The app combines messaging, financial transfers, and voice and video calling, mirroring the functions of global messaging services but operating under state oversight.
Russian regulations now require Max to be pre-installed on all new smartphones and tablets sold in the country, signaling a coordinated effort to shift users toward a controlled digital environment.
Max was developed by VKontakte (VK), a company originally co-founded by Durov before he left Russia in 2014 after alleging Kremlin pressure to hand over user data. VK is now state-owned.
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The Russian government has spent nearly a decade attempting to build a more tightly regulated national internet infrastructure, often citing fraud, terrorism, and national security as justification.
Authorities previously tried to block Telegram in 2018 and have introduced incremental restrictions in recent months.
In August 2025, Roskomnadzor partially restricted voice calls on both Telegram and WhatsApp, accusing the platforms of being used for fraud, extortion, sabotage, and terrorist activities.
A month later, Russia began mandating the pre-installation of Max on mobile devices.
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