Russia blocks WhatsApp, tells citizens to use state-backed platform Max

Russia on Thursday said it blocked Meta's WhatsApp, telling Russians to instead use a new state-backed platform, Max.

“Max is an accessible alternative, a developing messenger, a national messenger. And it is available on the market for citizens,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday, news agency Ria Novosti reported.

WhatsApp issued a statement earlier Thursday, posting on X, “Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app. Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s telecoms watchdog, has accused messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp of failing to comply with legislation requiring companies to store Russian users’ data inside the country or introduce measures to stop their platforms from being used for allegedly criminal or terrorist purposes, CNBC reported.

The watchdog has used this reasoning to slow down, or block, the messaging apps' operations, with restrictions first starting to take effect last year.

Roskomnadzor said Wednesday that it was open to working with any domestic and foreign internet resource that respects Russian law and citizens.