Overview

• On July 18, Duma Information Policy Committee member Anton Nemkin announced that WhatsApp will be added to Russia’s restricted-software list and face a nationwide blacklist.
• Nemkin called the Meta-owned messenger an extremist service that violates Russian law by failing to localize data, open a representative office or ensure transparency.
• The decision builds on June’s legislation to create a sovereign 'super app' endorsed by President Putin as part of Moscow’s campaign to replace foreign technology.
• Authorities expect users to switch immediately to Telegram, citing its better compliance with local regulations and data-localization requirements.
• Max, the state-backed messenger integrated with public services, digital certificates and e-signatures, is positioned as the long-term national communication platform.