WhatsApp (META) has been blocked in Russia, the Kremlin confirmed on Thursday, a move intended to ramp up adoption of a state-backed app by its citizens.
Moscow has been trying to get Russians to download the “MAX” app, which, on top of calls and texts, offers state services and allows users to verify identities via digital ID, pay utility bills, and use electronic signatures.
“MAX is an accessible alternative, a developing messenger, a national messenger. And it is available on the market for citizens,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
However, the Meta-owned company alleged Russia is restricting WhatsApp and is forcefully pushing its citizens to install MAX to spy on them.
“Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app,” WhatsApp said on X. “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.”
However, Kremlin authorities claim WhatsApp failed to comply with local laws, which led to the move.
“It’s a matter of complying with the law. If Meta complies and works with the Russian authorities, then we can reach some kind of an agreement,” Peskov said.
The move against WhatsApp comes immediately after the rival app Telegram was restricted by the Russian state media regulator for failing to curb illegal activity on the platform.
Since August 2025, the regulator has been selectively blocking video and audio calls on both platforms.
WhatsApp is currently accessible in Russia via VPN, and as of December, it had 94.5M monthly users.
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