Russia moves to block WhatsApp and promote state-backed app

Russian authorities have removed WhatsApp from the country’s official internet directory and users reported the service became inaccessible without VPNs or workarounds, following months of degraded functionality such as cut voice calls and slowed performance ^[4][2].

Meta’s WhatsApp says the actions amount to an attempt to block the app in order to promote a state-backed messenger called Max, a move that critics say would increase government control over messaging and raise privacy concerns ^[1][2].

Multiple news outlets reported the takedown and coverage highlights that the change affects tens of millions of users in Russia; commentators and companies have characterized the switch as favouring a surveillance-prone alternative, while official channels frame it as regulatory enforcement ^[4][3][1].

The coordinated removal and reported blocking of WhatsApp, alongside promotion of the state-backed Max app, has prompted international reporting and raised questions about messaging privacy and state oversight in Russia ^[1].