Kremlin confirms WhatsApp ban: Russia shuts down Meta service over legal defiance

Moscow: The Kremlin confirmed Thursday that Russia has blocked the messaging service WhatsApp, citing the platform's failure to comply with domestic regulations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the restriction was "indeed made and implemented" after the Meta-owned application repeatedly ignored Russian legal standards. Peskov attributed the blackout to WhatsApp's "reluctance to comply with the norms and letter of Russian law."

The move marks a substantial escalation in Moscow’s efforts to achieve "internet sovereignty" by replacing foreign tech with state-controlled alternatives. The ban is expected to affect more than 100 million users in Russia, many of whom are already being directed toward "Max," a state-developed "super app" that integrates messaging with government services.

WhatsApp officials characterised the block as a "backwards step" that compromises public safety. "Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication... can only lead to less safety for people in Russia," the company said in a statement on X.

Peskov indicated that while the service is currently inaccessible without workarounds like VPNs, the door remains open for a potential return if Meta chooses to cooperate. "If the Meta corporation fulfils [the legislation] and enters into dialogue with Russian authorities, then we have the possibility of reaching an agreement," Peskov said, adding that "if the corporation sticks to an uncompromising position... then there is no chance."

The ban follows similar recent restrictions on Telegram, as Russian regulators intensify pressure on platforms that refuse to share user data or store information locally.

With inputs from AFP