Russia Moves to Block WhatsApp in Push for State-Controlled Messenger
Moscow — The Russian government has moved to fully block WhatsApp, targeting the end-to-end encrypted platform in an effort to funnel more than 100 million users toward state-supervised communication services, company officials and technical monitors confirmed Wednesday.
Authorities appear to be leveraging state-imposed throttling and blocking mechanisms in an attempt to degrade access to the Meta-owned platform. The move comes as the Kremlin intensifies efforts to steer citizens toward domestic alternatives, notably the surveillance-compatible messenger ecosystem operated under state-controlled internet infrastructure.
“This is a backwards step,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement. “Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
Industry observers note the block is part of a broader campaign to eliminate foreign encrypted services that lie outside the reach of domestic intelligence collection. Unlike the government-backed platforms, WhatsApp offers default end-to-end encryption, preventing both the company and third parties from accessing message content.
While Russian authorities have previously levied fines and slowed traffic to foreign platforms, a full-scale block of WhatsApp represents a significant escalation—one that risks widespread disruption for ordinary users who rely on the app for everything from family communication to commerce.
It remains unclear whether the block will be technically sustainable in the long term, or if users will turn to VPNs to restore access. What is clear, the company argues, is that forcing millions onto less secure platforms leaves them more vulnerable to surveillance and data compromise.
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