WhatsApp Accuses Moscow of Blocking Secure Messaging for Millions

WhatsApp says the Russian government is trying to stop millions from using secure messaging. The claim came after Russia restricted voice calls on the app. For now, text messages and voice notes still work.

Russian officials say they blocked calls on WhatsApp and Telegram because both refused to share data with law enforcement. Authorities claim they need the information to investigate fraud and terrorism.

Tensions between Russia and global tech companies have risen since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. Moscow has banned Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, slowed YouTube, and fined platforms that ignore local rules.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, says its chats are private and end-to-end encrypted. The company believes this is why Moscow wants to cut it off from more than 100 million Russians. It promises to keep working to provide secure messaging in the country.

Telegram, based in Dubai, says it actively removes harmful content. It uses AI to delete millions of posts tied to fraud, violence, or sabotage.

In July 2025, WhatsApp had 97.3 million Russian users, research firm Mediascope says. Telegram followed with 90.8 million, and VK Messenger — run by state-owned VK — had 17.9 million.

Russia has over 140 million people, making WhatsApp and Telegram the biggest players by far. But Moscow is pushing its own state-controlled app, called MAX. It will connect to government services, and critics fear it could track users.

Many Russian lawmakers are moving to MAX and telling supporters to join. Anton Gorelkin, a top tech regulator in parliament, says he will post there first from now on. He expects other politicians to follow.

Mikhail Klimarev, head of the Internet Protection Society, says the goal is control. He warns that MAX may not handle a huge rush of new accounts. A slower rollout might be easier.

Sites like Downdetector have seen a jump in WhatsApp outage reports. In southern Russia’s Krasnodar region, local media noted weaker mobile signals.

The drop in service has caused problems for workers. In a public Telegram group for taxi drivers, members complained they couldn’t use maps. One driver asked, “What should I do, there’s no map?” Another replied, “Download offline maps for the future.”

Experts say Russia has used “service degradation” before. YouTube speeds have been slowed, making videos harder to load.

Human Rights Watch says Russia is building a tightly controlled internet. A new law will increase censorship and reduce privacy. It will fine people for searching online for “extremist” material, even when using VPNs.