The Russian Government in a major development, has attempted to block the instant messaging platform WhatsApp in the country. According to the parent company of WhatsApp, Meta, the Kremlin is escalating its restrictions on messaging app like WhatsApp.

Increasing state-surveillance on messaging apps?

Meta also said that it fears that the Russian Government is trying to make the instant messaging app like a “state-owned surveillance app”. This polis concerning since the app has a user base of around 100 million people.

Telegram Restricted too?

Prior to WhatsApp, the rope was tightened for Telegram by curbing access to the app. Given the reason for a lack of security within the app, the decision was made. Interestingly also has a similar user base in Russia, which WhatsApp has

Russia’s communications regulator, the Roskomnadzor, has made repeated warnings to WhatsApp to comply with local law. State-owned Tass Media reported earlier this year that WhatsApp is expected to be permanently blocked in the country in 2026.

“Such harsh measures” are “absolutely justified” since Russia has designated Meta as an extremist organisation, Andrei Svintsov, a Russian official, was quoted as saying.

Social media platform WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) posts, “Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to 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. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”

Russian authorities have been actively promoting a homegrown messaging platform known as Max, encouraging citizens to shift away from foreign apps. The platform is often compared to China’s WeChat because it brings together messaging, digital services, and access to government functions — though unlike WhatsApp or Telegram, it does not offer end-to-end encryption.

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Beginning in 2025, the government made it compulsory for all newly sold smartphones and devices in Russia to come with the Max app pre-installed. Its use has also been enforced across public institutions, with government employees, teachers, and students instructed to communicate through the platform.

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has accused Russian authorities of deliberately limiting access to independent messaging services in order to steer citizens toward a state-controlled app designed for monitoring communications and suppressing political dissent.

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Durov noted that Iran previously attempted a comparable move by banning Telegram and promoting a government-backed alternative, but many users ultimately found ways to bypass the restrictions, he said in an online post.