WhatsApp Blocked in Russia: State Surveillance App Push?

Russia confirmed this Thursday the blocking of the WhatsApp messaging application, following the restrictions announced at the beginning of the week against Telegram. The decision, according to the Kremlin, responds to the failure of these foreign platforms to comply with local legislation.

In recent years, the Russian government has increased measures that restrict freedom of expression on the Internet and limit the use of non-national applications, in a context of greater control over the digital ecosystem.

Presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov confirmed that the blockade was carried out “due to the company’s reluctance to respect Russian law,” and assured that the measure was implemented immediately.

WhatsApp denounces pressure to migrate to a state app

The American company, which claims to have more than 100 million users in Russia, reacted harshly. On February 11, WhatsApp announced:

“Hoy, The Russian government tried to completely block WhatsApp to force people to use a state surveillance app. Trying to cut off more than 100 million users from private and secure communication is a setback and can only reduce the security of Russian citizens. “We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”

Before the total block, authorities had already restricted key functions such as calling on both applications, a measure applied since August 2025.

For its part, the regulatory agency Roskomnadzor announced “progressive restrictions” against Telegram and previously accused both platforms of being used for scams and “criminal and terrorist objectives.”

MAX, the national alternative promoted by the Kremlin

In parallel to the blockade, Russian authorities have promoted migration to MAXa nationally developed courier service presented as a local alternative.

“MAX is an existing alternative, an emerging and national messaging,” said Peskov.

The application was proposed by the Russian social media giant VK since 2025 and is presented as a “super application” that integrates administrative and commercial services, similar to what happens with WeChat or Alipay in China.

MAX is presented as a “super application” that combines official procedures and commercial services. Photo: AFP

However, unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, MAX does not use end-to-end encryption, a system that protects the content of messages and prevents third parties from easily intercepting and reading them. This feature has drawn criticism from lawyers and privacy advocates, who warn that it could become a surveillance tool.

VPN and new restrictions

If the total blocking of WhatsApp and Telegram is consolidated, users could still bypass censorship using tools such as virtual private networks (VPN). However, a recent Russian law prohibits the promotion of these services, which complicates their mass dissemination.

The fight between the Russian government and foreign platforms opens a new chapter in the dispute for control of the digital space, with millions of citizens at the center of the debate on privacy, security and technological sovereignty.

*With information from AFP.