Russia has officially implemented a full nationwide block on WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging app used by over 100 million people in the country.
The blockade was confirmed on February 12, 2026, by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who stated that the decision was made and implemented because Meta refused to comply with Russian law. Peskov urged Russians to switch to Max, a domestically developed, state-backed messaging app.
WhatsApp responded the same day, saying:
“Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app.”
The block is the culmination of months of escalating restrictions. In August 2025, Russian authorities began throttling WhatsApp calls. The full ban now prevents the app from functioning normally for most users inside Russia, although many are bypassing it using VPNs.
Why Now?
Russian regulators (Roskomnadzor) have been steadily tightening control over foreign messaging platforms, citing national security, data localization requirements, and the need to combat “extremism” and fraud. Meta has long been labeled an “extremist organization” in Russia, and its platforms (Facebook and Instagram) have been heavily restricted since 2022.
Impact
- Over 100 million Russian users are affected.
- The move is widely seen as part of a broader crackdown on independent communication channels during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- Privacy advocates and digital rights groups have condemned the block as a major blow to freedom of expression and access to secure private communication.
This is now one of the most significant internet restrictions in Russia since the full blocks on Facebook and Instagram in 2022.
The situation is still developing, with many users relying on VPNs to continue using WhatsApp.
