WhatsApp Ban in Russia: Local Alternative Max to Launch
Russia is contemplating a ban on the widely used messaging platform, WhatsApp, which currently holds the top spot among messaging services domestically. The government is moving towards promoting a local alternative called Max, a messaging application designed to be integrated with official government portals. Starting from September 2025, Max will be pre-installed on all new devices sold within the country, aiming to encourage citizens to transition away from foreign apps.
In recent statements, Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of Russia's parliament's information technology committee, emphasized that WhatsApp should prepare for withdrawal from the Russian market. This stance aligns with Russia's broader efforts to regulate online content, as evidenced by new legislation enacted on July 22, 2025, which imposes harsher penalties for searches related to extremist materials and tightens restrictions on VPN usage. The move reflects the government's intention to tighten control over digital communications and reduce reliance on foreign messaging platforms.
The Russian government has yet to specify the timeline or procedures for implementing a potential ban on WhatsApp, leaving many details uncertain. Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has already been classified as an extremist organization, following bans on its other platforms, Facebook and Instagram, since 2022.
Official statements from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasize that WhatsApp must adhere to Russian laws, suggesting that legal obligations could influence future actions. Reports from independent outlets like Meduza indicate there's a high probability—around 99 percent—that authorities will proceed with blocking WhatsApp.
This development occurs amid Moscow's efforts to develop a domestic messaging application, Max, which is expected to be integrated with government services. According to reports, Max will become standard on all devices sold within Russia starting September 2025.
Access to the internet via VPNs remains a contentious issue. These tools typically encrypt user connections and mask IP addresses, allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions. However, Russian authorities have intensified efforts to block VPN services, employing sophisticated techniques that render many VPNs ineffective. In March 2024, the government criminalized the dissemination of information on circumventing internet restrictions, leading to the removal of numerous VPN apps from the Apple App Store.
Adding to the crackdown, new legislation enacted on July 22 imposes harsher penalties for individuals seeking or accessing "knowingly extremist materials," including when such activity occurs through VPNs. Additionally, lawmakers have introduced measures to classify the use of VPNs for viewing extremist content as an aggravating factor in criminal cases, making such activity more punishable.
Russia continues to target VPN providers, demanding the removal of over 200 VPN apps from the Google Play Store, despite resistance from Google. The government plans to invest over half a billion US dollars to combat VPN usage and has conducted regional disconnections to test its sovereign internet infrastructure.
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