Overview
- Russia’s media regulator said WhatsApp will face a nationwide block unless it meets domestic legal requirements, according to a statement reported by TASS.
- WhatsApp remains available for messaging in Russia, though its calling feature is already disabled.
- Signal and Viber were fully blocked in 2024, and voice calls on Telegram are also restricted in the country.
- The state is promoting Max, a messenger owned by VK that observers say cooperates closely with authorities.
- Parliament this summer authorized fines of up to 5,000 rubles for searching information designated as extremist by officials.