On Thursday, Moscow announced a ban on the WhatsApp application after it was accused of not adhering to local legislation, calling on users to switch to a national alternative. The decision comes amid government efforts to strengthen control over messaging services and restrict foreign platforms, raising concerns about privacy and freedom of communication there.
Published on: 02/12/2026 - 15:14 Last updated: 02/13/2026 - 17:46
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Claiming that it did not comply with local legislation, the Russian authorities on Thursday banned the American messaging application WhatsApp in Russia, despite its wide spread among users.
The decision falls within Moscow-led movements to promote an alternative local application that allows it a higher level of control over communication services.
“This decision has already been made and implemented,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question about banning the app. Peskov explained that the decision came as a result of “WhatsApp’s refusal to comply with the provisions of Russian law and its rules.”
He also called on his citizens to replace WhatsApp by using the Russian "Max" application, which was launched in 2025, describing it as an "emerging national messaging service."
WhatsApp reported on Wednesday evening that the Russian authorities were trying to ban it “completely in order to push people towards a controlled, state-owned application.”
The application, affiliated with the American "Meta" group, continued, "Seeking to deprive more than 100 million users of private and secure communications is a backward step that can only reduce the safety of people in Russia."
It is reported that earlier in the week, the Russian government sought to clamp down on the Telegram messaging application.
Read also: “With the aim of combating criminals”... Russia imposes restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram calls
The Internet Monitoring Authority imposed restrictions on the application due to accusations of violations.
The Telegram application, founded by Russian Pavel Durov, who has French citizenship, is one of the most popular messaging services in Russia, along with WhatsApp.
The authorities are encouraging Russians to use the new Max messaging app, which is still much less popular.
Since 2025, the giant Russian company VK has been offering the Max application as providing access to all government services and online commerce.
But the "Max" application does not provide comprehensive encryption of conversations, and lawyers fear that it will become a surveillance tool.
Last summer, Russia banned users from making calls via the Telegram and WhatsApp applications.
France 24/AFP
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