Russian authorities have officially blocked access to WhatsApp and placed severe restrictions on Telegram as part of an intensified campaign to centralize control over the country’s digital space. Both WhatsApp and Telegram executives have condemned the move, characterizing it as an attempt to force over 100 million users onto “Max,” a state-backed “super app” that critics warn is designed for surveillance and political censorship. While WhatsApp remains accessible through VPNs, authorities are increasingly targeting such workarounds, and officials say the platform’s future in Russia depends on Meta’s willingness to comply with local laws.
Date: February 12, 2026. Source: politico.eu