Removal from the Registry and Digital Isolation
Russian authorities have sharply restricted access to WhatsApp, the messaging service owned by Meta, effectively pushing it out of Russia’s digital space. The move was implemented by removing the service from the official online registry maintained by Roskomnadzor.
This step amounts to an almost complete block: without complex technical workarounds, access to the app has become nearly impossible. Unlike earlier measures that merely slowed the platform, this action represents a deeper and more systemic shutdown.
Until recently, WhatsApp remained one of the most widely used communication tools in the country, with more than 100 million users.
A Push Toward a “National Messenger”
According to The Financial Times, Moscow’s actions appear to be the culmination of months of pressure aimed at redirecting users to an alternative state-backed service known as Max.
Max was officially designated the “national messenger” last year. The app is owned by VKontakte (VK), which is controlled by figures close to the Kremlin.
Functionally, Max resembles China’s WeChat, combining messaging features with access to government services. However, unlike WhatsApp, it does not offer end-to-end encryption, raising concerns about the transparency of user communications to state authorities.
Meta’s Response and Broader Restrictions
Meta stated that the Russian government is attempting to fully block WhatsApp in order to push users toward a state-owned surveillance application. The company argued that isolating more than 100 million people from secure and private communication “is a step backward and reduces safety.”
Previously, Russian authorities had already restricted access to other Meta platforms — Facebook and Instagram — which were designated as “extremist” and remain accessible only through VPN services. Analysts have also reported visible degradation in access to YouTube, though a full removal from official registries has not been definitively confirmed.
Pressure on Telegram and Domestic Concerns
Restrictions have also affected Telegram, one of the country’s most popular messaging services, particularly for news consumption. Its founder, Pavel Durov, publicly criticized the new measures, stating:
“Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
Attempts to interfere with Telegram’s operations have drawn criticism even from pro-Kremlin figures. The platform is widely used by Russian soldiers on the frontline as well as residents of border regions who rely on it for alerts about drone and missile attacks.
The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, expressed concern that slowing Telegram could disrupt the flow of critical information if the security situation deteriorates.
Gradual Tightening of Controls
The effective blocking of WhatsApp follows a pattern of gradual escalation. Last summer, authorities introduced “partial restrictions” that made voice calls impossible. By December, Russian media reported that WhatsApp’s performance had been slowed by 70 to 80 percent.
These measures coincided with broader internet slowdowns in Russia, attributed both to external attacks on infrastructure and to domestic technical interventions.
Digital Sovereignty and Information Control
The effort to replace foreign platforms with domestic alternatives is not unique. Iran has pursued a similar strategy, attempting to promote local services and build a National Information Network that can be more easily monitored by the government.
In Russia’s case, the push for “digital sovereignty” increasingly overlaps with tighter control over the information space. The near-total blocking of WhatsApp may mark a significant turning point — either toward deeper digital isolation or toward the establishment of a fully state-controlled communication infrastructure.
This article was prepared based on materials published by The Financial Times. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: The Financial Times.
All rights to the original text belong to The Financial Times
