The Russian authorities is making an attempt to dam WhatsApp within the nation as its crackdown on communication platforms exterior its management intensifies.
WhatsApp introduced the motion in opposition to it on X, calling it “a backwards step” that “can solely result in much less security for folks in Russia.”
WhatsApp assured its Russian customers that it’s going to proceed doing all the things it could to maintain them linked.
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Based on Russian media, the nation’s web watchdog, Roskomnadzor, had just lately excluded the domains whatsapp.com and net.whatsapp.com from the Nationwide Area Title System, citing the official clarification of countering crime and fraud.
In apply, excluding the domains from home DNS routing made WhatsApp providers accessible solely to customers who use VPN instruments or exterior resolvers.
Nonetheless, extra aggressive measures are reportedly now in place, with the newest try to completely block WhatsApp in Russia. The moment messenger’s mum or dad firm, Meta, has been designated as an “extremist” entity in Russia since 2022.
WhatsApp noticed its first restrictions within the nation in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor started throttling voice and video calls. In October 2025, the authorities tried to block new consumer registrations.
Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov reportedly acknowledged that the authorities are open to permitting WhatsApp to renew operations within the nation, supplied that Meta complies with native laws.
WhatsApp blocks got here shortly after related motion was taken in opposition to Telegram, which was reportedly aggressively throttled earlier this week in Russia.
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, responded to the state of affairs by stating that Russia is making an attempt to encourage its residents to make use of the Kremlin-controlled MAX messenger app.
MAX is a controversial communications platform developed by VK, which turned obligatory on all digital gadgets offered within the nation since September 2025.
Though MAX is promoted as a safe app that safeguards nationwide communications from overseas surveillance, a number of unbiased reviewers have raised considerations about encryption weaknesses, authorities entry, and in depth data-collection dangers.
For now, customers in Russia might be able to proceed accessing their messengers of alternative through the use of VPN instruments, although these are usually not immune to the federal government’s crackdown both.
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