Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC that the ban was imposed “due to [Meta’s] unwillingness to comply with the norms and the letter of Russian law.” He added that Meta could resume operations if it “complies with [the law] and enters into dialogue.” When asked if the measure aimed to force Russians to adopt the state-developed Max app, Peskov said it was simply “an available alternative.”
Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor has also restricted access to Telegram, citing security concerns. Telegram remains widely used in Russia, including by Russian forces in Ukraine, and some pro-war bloggers have complained that the restrictions are disrupting communications.
Authorities claim both WhatsApp and Telegram have refused to store Russian users’ data domestically, as required by law. They have also accused WhatsApp of being a key tool in online fraud and extortion, framing the state-backed Max app as a safer, regulated alternative.
The Max app, heavily promoted via TV, billboards, and local officials, has been described by critics as a potential surveillance tool, though Russian media deny these claims. The push for domestic platforms is part of a broader drive to build a controlled “Russian internet,” which accelerated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
WhatsApp responded to the ban, warning it could reduce online safety for Russian users: “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.”
The ban follows Russia’s 2022 designation of Meta as an extremist organisation. Since then, apps like Instagram and Facebook have been blocked in Russia and are only accessible via virtual private networks (VPNs).
Digital rights group Na Svyazi (In Touch) reported that dozens of popular international websites, including YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp Web, Instagram, the BBC, and Deutsche Welle, have been removed from Russia’s National System of Domain Names. Without a VPN, these platforms are now inaccessible to Russian users.
State-run news agency Tass reported earlier in 2026 that WhatsApp could face a permanent block, cementing the Kremlin’s strategy of pushing citizens toward domestically controlled digital services.
This move underscores Russia’s intensifying effort to consolidate its internet ecosystem under state oversight while limiting foreign influence and expanding control over online communications.
