Security

Russia’s Attempt to Censor Messaging Platforms Sparks Communication Blockade

Published

3 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Russia Attempts to Block WhatsApp and Telegram in Communication Crackdown

The Russian government is currently making efforts to restrict access to WhatsApp within the country as part of its ongoing campaign to control communication platforms that operate outside of its jurisdiction.

WhatsApp responded to these actions on an undisclosed date, labeling them as regressive and warning of potential safety risks for Russian citizens.

Despite the challenges, WhatsApp reassured its user base in Russia that it is committed to maintaining connectivity through all available means.

The latest reports from Russian media indicate that the country’s internet regulatory body, Roskomnadzor, has taken steps to exclude the domains whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com from the National Domain Name System. This move was justified as a measure to combat criminal activities and fraud.

By removing these domains from domestic DNS routing, access to WhatsApp services has been restricted to users utilizing VPN tools or external resolvers.

More stringent measures have now been put in place, with the Russian government reportedly attempting a complete block of WhatsApp in the country. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has been labeled as an “extremist” entity in Russia since 2022.

WhatsApp initially faced restrictions in Russia in August 2025 when Roskomnadzor started limiting voice and video calls. Subsequently, in October 2025, new user registrations were blocked.

Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov hinted at the possibility of WhatsApp resuming operations in Russia if Meta complies with local regulations.

The crackdown on WhatsApp closely followed similar actions taken against Telegram, which was reportedly subjected to aggressive throttling in Russia recently.

Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, responded to the situation by suggesting that Russia aims to promote its state-controlled MAX messenger app to citizens.

MAX is an embattled communication platform developed by VK, which has been mandated on all electronic devices sold in Russia since September 2025.

Despite claims of enhanced security and protection from foreign surveillance, independent reviews have raised concerns about encryption vulnerabilities, government access, and data collection risks associated with MAX.

For now, Russian users may still access their preferred messaging apps using VPN tools, although these methods are also susceptible to government interference.