Russia Moves to Restrict WhatsApp Platform Claims Pressure to Shift Users to State-Backed App
Messaging giant says move threatens secure communication for over 100 million users; Moscow yet to respond
Moscow, Feb 12 : Russia on Thursday attempted to fully block WhatsApp, the messaging platform said, claiming the action was aimed at redirecting users to a state owned application.
In a post shared on X at 6:22 am on February 12, 2026, WhatsApp stated, “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 backward step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
The company did not immediately disclose the scale of the disruption or confirm whether services had been restored. Russian authorities have not yet issued an official response.
According to WhatsApp, the platform has more than 100 million users in Russia, making any potential restriction significant for the country’s digital communication landscape.
This is a developing story and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
