Overview
- Russia’s telecom regulator confirmed measures that slow or block WhatsApp, citing violations of national laws and alleging use of the platform for terrorism and widespread fraud.
- WhatsApp said authorities attempted a complete block to steer users to a state-linked surveillance app and warned that more than 100 million people could be cut off from private, end‑to‑end encrypted communication.
- Meta said it is doing everything possible to keep people connected as disruptions continue across Russia.
- Moscow is promoting MAX, a VK-backed messaging app preinstalled on devices sold in Russia since September 2025, which critics say lacks robust privacy protections and enables state oversight.
- The action extends a yearslong clampdown on foreign platforms, following Meta’s 2022 extremist designation and blocks on Facebook and Instagram, with Telegram also facing new restrictions this week.