Overview
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision to block WhatsApp was adopted and implemented, adding that Meta must comply with Russian legislation for access to be restored.
- The blocking included removing WhatsApp-related domains from Russia’s national DNS, leaving many users reliant on VPNs as authorities also tighten controls on VPN services.
- Roskomnadzor said it will continue imposing restrictions on Telegram over alleged legal violations, though the service has remained largely accessible for many users.
- Officials are promoting MAX as the domestic alternative, with the app required by law to be preinstalled on new devices and listed in RuStore, and with about 89 million registered users reported.
- Critics and security experts warn MAX lacks end-to-end encryption and will share user data with authorities, while politicians and military bloggers caution that curbs on WhatsApp and Telegram could undermine frontline and public-safety communications.