Kremlin defends WhatsApp restrictions, promotes domestic messenger Max

The Kremlin has defended its decision to restrict WhatsApp access across Russia, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributing the measure to parent company Meta's unwillingness to adhere to domestic legal requirements. "Regarding the blocking of WhatsApp, indeed, a statement was made by our relevant authorities that, in connection with the Meta corporation's unwillingness to follow the norm and letter of Russian law, such a decision was made and implemented," Peskov told journalists Thursday.

Domestic Alternative and Compliance Conditions

Peskov promoted the national messenger Max as "an accessible alternative to foreign messengers," emphasizing its availability to Russian citizens. The communications regulator Roskomnadzor has removed WhatsApp's primary domain from national DNS servers, effectively blocking standard access without VPN technology, though certain technical domains remain operational. Peskov indicated restrictions could be rescinded should WhatsApp comply with Russian legislation, leaving the door open for potential resolution.

Corporate Response and Accusations

WhatsApp responded forcefully, accusing Russian authorities of attempting to "fully block" the platform "in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app." The company warned that isolating over 100 million users from private, secure communication represents "a backwards step" that undermines safety. Telegram founder Pavel Durov echoed these concerns, alleging the state is restricting access "in an attempt to force its people to use its own app for surveillance and political censorship." Roskomnadzor has defended its position, claiming the messenger facilitates terrorist activities and fraud.

Limited Scope of Domestic Alternative

Despite official promotion, Max messenger faces significant limitations as a substitute. Registration is restricted to citizens of Russia, Belarus, and seven CIS nations, rendering it unsuitable for international communications. Since 2025, Russian authorities have mandated Max pre-installation on all new devices sold domestically and required its use among public sector employees and students. WhatsApp maintains approximately 100 million users in Russia, underscoring the scale of the contested communications landscape.