Meta’s messaging service denounces an attempt to isolate more than 100 million Russian users from the app.
WhatsApp has accused Russia of attempting to block access for millions of its users in order to push them toward the state alternative Max. The Meta-owned messaging platform stated in a post on X Wednesday that “trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a step backward and can only lead to less security for people in Russia.”
According to Russian media, WhatsApp’s use would be completely blocked and inaccessible without VPN or other workarounds. The online daily Gazeta.ru reported that presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov allegedly told the state news agency TASS that unblocking WhatsApp in Russia would require the messaging service to follow Russian laws and show willingness to negotiate.
Russia launched the state platform Max in March 2025, developed by Russian tech company VK as a domestic alternative to foreign services like WhatsApp and Telegram. The government has heavily promoted the application, making it mandatory on all smartphones sold in the country starting September 1st, which must have it pre-installed.
According to estimates by SEO company Backlinko, Russia has the fourth largest monthly active WhatsApp user base in the world with 72 million users, behind only Indonesia, Brazil and India. Last year Moscow began restricting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing the platforms of not sharing information with law enforcement and not storing Russian user data in the country.
In January, Andrey Svintsov, a State Duma deputy, told TASS that the country’s telecommunications regulator would take measures to completely block WhatsApp by the end of 2026.
