Russia Blocks WhatsApp as Kremlin Pushes State-Backed Alternative
Russian authorities have officially blocked access to the Meta-owned messaging service WhatsApp, marking a significant escalation in the country’s control over digital communications. The move, executed by the state internet regulator Roskomnadzor, involves the removal of WhatsApp from the national register of information distributors and the deletion of its domains from the country’s Domain Name System (DNS).
Reports surfacing on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, indicate that the application, which until recently boasted approximately 100 million users within Russia, is now inaccessible to most residents without the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The blockage follows months of gradual restrictions, including limitations on voice and video calls implemented in late 2025, which authorities claimed were necessary to combat fraud and terrorism.
According to Russian officials, the decision to fully block the platform stems from Meta’s alleged refusal to comply with domestic legislation requiring the sharing of user data with law enforcement agencies. Moscow has accused foreign technology platforms of facilitating “extremist activities” and failing to remove illegal content.
Parallel to the ban, the Kremlin is aggressively promoting a domestic alternative known as “MAX.” Government officials have urged citizens to migrate to this state-backed application, citing security concerns with foreign software. However, digital rights activists and critics warn that the push toward MAX is an effort to consolidate surveillance capabilities, alleging that the domestic app provides Russian security services with unrestricted access to user communications.
In a statement responding to the ban, a WhatsApp spokesperson condemned the action, describing it as a political maneuver designed to force Russian citizens onto a “state-owned surveillance app.” The company reiterated its commitment to end-to-end encryption and stated it would continue exploring technical avenues to keep users connected, though the removal of its domains from Russian DNS servers poses a substantial technical barrier.
This development completes the severance of Meta’s presence in Russia. While Facebook and Instagram were banned and Meta was designated an “extremist organization” shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, WhatsApp had previously been exempted due to its status as a primary communication tool for the general public. That exemption has now effectively ended.
The crackdown extends beyond Meta’s ecosystem. Simultaneous reports indicate that Telegram, another popular messaging platform founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, is experiencing severe throttling and service disruptions. Analysts suggest these coordinated actions represent a broader strategy to isolate the Russian internet space and route all digital communication through channels that can be monitored by the state.
