Overview
- Russia’s communications watchdog told RIA Novosti on January 15 that existing limits on WhatsApp will stay in place.
- Partial curbs on voice calls in WhatsApp and Telegram began in August 2025 to counter schemes that deceive and extort users.
- In late November, the agency said it was steadily adding restrictions because WhatsApp was not meeting Russian requirements to prevent crimes.
- In December, officials warned that continued noncompliance could lead to a permanent block of the service in Russia.
- WhatsApp is owned by Meta, whose Facebook and Instagram platforms are banned in Russia as extremist.