Russia Blocks WhatsApp and Promotes State Messenger Max

People are absorbed in their smartphones as they wait for a Moscow metro train on February 12, 2026. Hector Ramal/AFP/Getty Images Russia officially confirmed the blocking of the WhatsApp messenger on its territory and recommends citizens switch to the state-supported Max app. The decision is tied to a violation of the law by the parent company, but details are not publicly disclosed. Alongside this, there have been reports of restrictions on access to Telegram – another popular service among the population, the military, and government agencies, including the Kremlin and Roskomnadzor. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday that the blocking of WhatsApp was adopted due to violations of the law by the parent company, without specifying concrete details. “Max is a readily available market alternative for citizens; a national messenger is developing. Regarding the blocking of WhatsApp, our authorities have indeed stated that the decision was made and implemented because the corporation was unwilling to comply with the law.” In response, WhatsApp released a statement saying that the Russian government allegedly “tried to completely block WhatsApp” – such a move allegedly would lead to greater subordination to state oversight. “An attempt to isolate more than 100 million users
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