Russia confirmed Thursday that it is seeking to fully block WhatsApp access in the country, instead pushing users to use a state-sanctioned replacement for messaging.
While WhatsApp is Russia’s most popular messenger, the Kremlin urged millions to adopt Max, a domestic service that has been characterized by critics as a possible surveillance tool. The development follows a Wednesday announcement from Russian officials that Telegram would be further restricted nationwide, accusing it of failing to address regulatory violations. And it comes after Moscow has long targeted and restricted WhatsApp and other social media platforms owned by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, including by designating Meta as an extremist organization in 2022.
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