MOSCOW (Feb 13, 2026) — In a major escalation of its “sovereign internet” policy, the Russian government has officially blocked WhatsApp, the country’s most popular messaging app. The move aims to migrate over 100 million users to the state-backed domestic platform, Max.
The Ban & The Official Reason
On February 12, 2026, Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, removed WhatsApp domains from the National Domain Name System (DNS), making the app inaccessible without a VPN.
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Kremlin’s Stance: Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated the block was due to Meta’s “unwillingness to comply with Russian law,” specifically regarding data localization and sharing information with law enforcement.
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WhatsApp’s Reaction: Meta described the move as a “backwards step” intended to force citizens onto a “state-owned surveillance app,” warning it would leave Russians less safe.
Meet “Max”: The New National Messenger
Developed by the VK Group, Max is being positioned as a Russian “super app,” similar to China’s WeChat.
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Integration: It is deeply embedded with Gosuslugi (State Services), allowing users to access digital IDs, pay taxes, and receive official government notifications within the chat.
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Mandatory Adoption: Since September 2025, Max has been pre-installed by law on all new smartphones sold in Russia.
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Privacy Concerns: Unlike WhatsApp, critics and digital rights groups like Roskomsvoboda claim Max lacks default end-to-end encryption, potentially allowing the FSB real-time access to private communications.
Broader Communication Crackdown
The WhatsApp ban is part of a wider February 2026 offensive against foreign tech:
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Telegram Throttled: Access to Telegram has also been restricted this week, with founder Pavel Durov slamming the move as “authoritarian censorship.”
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YouTube Blocked: Along with WhatsApp, YouTube was recently removed from the national DNS registry, effectively cutting off the last major Western video platform in the country.
