Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor on Tuesday reiterated its threat to completely block WhatsApp if it fails to comply with domestic laws. The regulator alleged that the Meta-owned messaging platform has continued to violate Russian regulations, claiming it has been used to facilitate terrorism, fraud and other criminal activities within the country.
In response, WhatsApp criticised the planned restrictions, warning that they could deprive more than 100 million Russians of access to private, end-to-end encrypted communication. The company argued that the move would significantly affect everyday interactions, especially as the festive period approaches.
Roskomnadzor said it has already begun taking steps to gradually restrict WhatsApp’s operations. The impact was felt almost immediately, as thousands of users across Russia reported outages and service slowdowns, according to online monitoring platforms.
The latest clash is part of a broader and long-running dispute between Moscow and international technology firms, which intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, Russian authorities have blocked Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, slowed access to Alphabet’s YouTube, and imposed hundreds of fines on digital platforms accused of breaching Russian rules on online content moderation and data storage.
A WhatsApp spokesperson said the government’s actions risk forcing users onto alternative platforms that may lack strong security protections. According to the company, WhatsApp plays a central role in Russian daily life, supporting communication among families, workplaces, neighbourhoods and social groups across the country. The spokesperson added that limiting access to secure messaging services could reduce online safety rather than improve it.
Russia has increasingly moved against foreign-owned platforms in recent months. In August, authorities began limiting certain calls on both WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing them of refusing to share user data with law enforcement in cases linked to fraud and terrorism.
At the same time, the Russian government has been promoting a state-backed messaging app known as MAX. Critics have raised concerns that the platform could enable increased user surveillance. Russian officials, however, have dismissed such claims, insisting that MAX is designed to improve citizens’ daily lives by integrating government-related services into a single platform.
As restrictions tighten, the standoff highlights a growing divide between Russia’s push for greater control over digital spaces and global tech companies’ emphasis on privacy, encryption and user security. The outcome of the dispute could significantly reshape how millions of Russians communicate online in the months ahead.