Friday, February 13 2026 - Russia has confirmed it has blocked messaging platform WhatsApp, directing citizens to switch to the state-backed Max app instead.
The move comes days after authorities began restricting
access to Telegram, another widely used messaging service in Russia. Telegram
is popular among millions of users, including military personnel, senior
officials, state media outlets and government bodies such as the Kremlin and
communications regulator Roskomnadzor.
Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, February
12, that WhatsApp was blocked due to alleged legal violations by its parent
company, without providing further details.
“Max is an affordable alternative on the market for citizens,
a developing national messenger,” Peskov said. “Regarding the blocking of
WhatsApp, our authorities did indeed state that the decision was made and
implemented due to the corporation’s unwillingness to comply with the law.”
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which also owns Facebook and
Instagram, both of which are already banned in Russia.
Earlier Thursday, WhatsApp said the Russian government had
“attempted to fully block” the platform, describing the action as an effort to
push users toward “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,” the company said in a statement, adding that it would
continue efforts to keep users connected.
Some users reported being able to access WhatsApp through
virtual private networks (VPNs). However, Russian authorities have intensified
efforts to curb VPN usage, restricting access to hundreds of VPN services. A
law enacted in September also bans advertising tools that allow users to bypass
state-imposed internet blocks.
This is not the first action taken against the app. In August
2025, Roskomnadzor imposed restrictions on video and voice calls via WhatsApp
and Telegram, citing the need to counter criminal activity. WhatsApp at the
time accused Moscow of attempting to limit access for Russian users.
The Max app, developed domestically, is being pre-installed
on new devices as part of a broader strategy to replace foreign digital
platforms. Designed as an all-in-one “super-app” similar to China’s WeChat, Max
combines messaging, voice and video calls, payments and access to government
services. Users can also authenticate their identities for public service
platforms through the app.
On Tuesday, Russian authorities announced restrictions on
Telegram, claiming the platform refused to remove content deemed “criminal and
terrorist.” Telegram founder Pavel Durov responded that attempts to curb the
platform would not succeed, stating that “Telegram stands for freedom of speech
and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
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