Thursday, February 12, 2026-Russian authorities have moved decisively to block Meta’s hugely popular WhatsApp messaging service, cutting off access for more than 100 million users inside the country as part of a broader campaign to tighten control over the national internet.
Officials removed WhatsApp from the official internet directory maintained by the federal regulator Roskomnadzor, effectively making the encrypted app nearly impossible to use without technical workarounds. At the same time, access to other Meta services like Facebook and Instagram remains limited, often only through VPNs, and platforms such as YouTube are also subject to degradation in service quality.
The Russian government frames the move as part of its push toward “digital sovereignty,” promoting a domestic messaging platform called MAX — a state-backed app modelled on China’s WeChat — instead of global competitors. Kremlin officials have suggested that restrictions on WhatsApp could ease if Meta complies with Russian data and content laws, but have also made clear that continued non-compliance likely means continued blockage. Critics argue that pushing users onto a state-controlled service could greatly reduce privacy and curtail free communication, effectively giving authorities unprecedented access to people’s messages.
The crackdown hasn’t been limited to WhatsApp alone: Russia has also intensified restrictions on Telegram, slowing the service and limiting its functionality, with some disruptions reported across the country. These moves have provoked backlash not only from international tech firms but also from some Russians and even pro-government voices concerned about freedom of speech and everyday connectivity. With the digital landscape rapidly shifting toward tightly controlled national platforms, ordinary users face new hurdles in maintaining secure and open communication.
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