Russia has blocked access to WhatsApp, the messaging platform owned by Meta Platforms, as part of a broader effort to steer users toward the government-backed messaging application Max, according to reports.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the decision followed Meta’s alleged failure to comply with Russian regulatory demands. He described Max, launched by authorities last year, as a “modern national alternative” available to citizens.
The move marks the latest escalation in Moscow’s tightening restrictions on Western social media platforms. Over the past year, Russia has blocked access to Facebook and Instagram, and designated Meta’s Russian operations as an extremist organization.
Meta, in response, said the ban would cut off access for more than 100 million Russian users and described the decision as regressive and harmful to digital security. The company noted that individuals seeking to use WhatsApp in Russia would likely have to rely on virtual private networks (VPNs).
According to Euronews, the Kremlin has intensified its regulatory crackdown on Western technology platforms since the start of the Russia–Ukraine war in February 2022, framing the measures as part of a broader push for digital sovereignty and domestic technological development.
The restriction of WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging apps in the country, represents a significant step in Russia’s ongoing campaign to consolidate control over its digital ecosystem while promoting homegrown alternatives.
Follow the latest news on Google News
