Russia Escalates WhatsApp Ban, Promotes State-Backed ‘MAX’ Messaging Service
Moscow : Russia has moved to completely block access to Meta-owned WhatsApp in a significant escalation of its efforts to curb foreign technology influence and steer users toward domestically controlled platforms. The messaging service, which counted about 100 million users in the country, said the action appears intended to drive people to adopt a state-backed rival app known as MAX, a shift that has sparked concerns over privacy and surveillance.
According to a WhatsApp spokesperson, Russian authorities attempted to fully deny access to the service in a bid to “push people onto a state-owned surveillance app,” a move the company condemned as a backward step that would undermine secure communications for millions. The firm added that it is striving to maintain connectivity despite the restrictions.
The Kremlin maintains that WhatsApp’s restoration depends on Meta’s willingness to comply with Russian laws. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS that an agreement could be reached if Meta enters into dialogue and adheres to local regulations; otherwise, the ban will stay in place.
Russian authorities have already removed WhatsApp from the official online services registry managed by the communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, effectively cutting off standard access for most users. The broader campaign against foreign platforms is part of Moscow’s push for a more tightly controlled “sovereign internet,” a policy that has also seen limits placed on Telegram, Apple’s FaceTime, and other Western-owned services.
MAX, developed with government backing, has been actively promoted as a home-grown alternative, though critics claim it lacks robust encryption and could be used for state surveillance — allegations denied by Russian media. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, has reiterated his platform’s commitment to protecting privacy and free speech amid rising pressure on tech services in the country.
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