WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, has been entirely banned in Russia for not following local laws. The Kremlin has suggested that Russians use MAX, a state-backed messenger, as an alternative. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described MAX as a developing national messenger available to citizens. However, critics claim that MAX is a tool for surveillance, which Russian authorities deny.
This ban on WhatsApp comes after six months of increasing pressure from the Russian government, which aims to establish a self-reliant communications infrastructure where foreign technology companies must comply with local regulations or face being shut down. Meta has been labeled an extremist organization in Russia, and WhatsApp expressed concern over the negative consequences of isolating over 100 million users from secure communication.
Certain domain names related to WhatsApp have been removed from Russia’s national register, preventing access without a VPN. Activists in Moscow protested against the ban, calling for an unrestricted internet. The public reaction varied; some individuals expressed frustration over the limitations on their rights, while others were indifferent or saw no problem due to the availability of other messaging apps. Some users indicated they would continue using WhatsApp with a VPN before switching to MAX.
Russian authorities have previously restricted platforms like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and have promoted MAX heavily. They started restricting WhatsApp back in August, claiming it failed to cooperate with law enforcement. They cited WhatsApp’s ongoing violations of Russian law and its role in facilitating crimes and terrorism as reasons for the ban. Russian courts have fined WhatsApp for not removing banned content, and authorities have stated that the company must establish a local office to comply with regulations. Many Russians have turned to other messaging apps, though those too are facing pressure from the government.
With information from Reuters
