Rights activists say the restrictions on messaging apps are a clear attempt to increase control and surveillance.
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Published February 12, 2026
Russia has blocked messaging service WhatsApp for alleged violations of the law, widely seen as an attempt to crack down on free speech amid the war in Ukraine, and urged users to switch to state-backed alternatives.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced the move on Thursday, citing WhatsApp’s “reluctance to abide by the norms and provisions of Russian law.”
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He advised Russians to instead use MAX, a state-backed platform that provides one-stop services such as messaging, online government services and payments.
Experts have warned that MAX, which has openly vowed to share user data with authorities upon request, does not use end-to-end encryption to ensure message privacy on popular services such as WhatsApp, leaving users vulnerable to state prying eyes.
Russia last year began restricting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, owned by U.S. social media giant Meta, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of fraud and refusing to share information with law enforcement in “terrorism” cases.
But rights activists like Amnesty International this week criticized the Kremlin’s continued restrictions on Telegram, arguing that the restrictions on the messaging app are a clear attempt to tighten control and surveillance.
“As always, the Russian authorities are resorting to the most blatant tools in their digital repression toolbox: censorship and obstruction disguised as protection of people’s rights and interests,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday.
A WhatsApp spokesperson said Wednesday that the company is “doing everything in its power” to keep users connected.
“Trying to isolate more than 100 million people from private and secure communications is a setback and will only make Russian citizens less safe,” the spokesperson said.
Since December, many Russians have only been able to access WhatsApp through a virtual private network (VPN), according to Reuters.
Earlier this week, state communications regulator Roskomnadzor announced new restrictions on Telegram, which is widely used by the Russian military fighting in Ukraine, for refusing to comply with the law.
In addition to cracking down on messaging apps, the Russian government has also blocked social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, while tightening restrictions on services such as YouTube.
In December, it imposed restrictions on Apple’s video calling service FaceTime.
