WhatsApp on Thursday accused Russia of attempting to block its services because the Meta-owned messaging app protects users’ right to secure communication through end-to-end encryption.
In a statement, WhatsApp said Russia is trying to cut off access for more than 100 million users in the country after the platform refused to compromise on privacy.
“WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people,” the company said.
Our statement on the news about the Russian government’s attempt to block WhatsApp:
WhatsApp is private, end-to-end encrypted, and defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million…
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) August 13, 2025
Foreign-owned platform
Russian authorities have begun “partially” restricting calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, accusing the foreign-owned messaging platforms of refusing to cooperate with fraud and terrorism investigations, the Associated Press reported.
The announcement, made Wednesday, is the latest step in Moscow’s push to tighten control over the internet.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media and internet regulator, said the move is aimed at fighting crime. It cited law enforcement agencies and “numerous appeals from citizens” in claiming that the two apps have become “the main voice services used to deceive and extort money, and to involve Russian citizens in sabotage and terrorist activities.”
The watchdog also alleged that repeated requests for the companies to take corrective action had gone unanswered.
