Social Media

WhatsApp Blocked in Russia Following Telegram Restrictions

A Russian regulator has accused both apps of failing to comply with local law, but Telegram boss Pavel Durov accused the state of trying to stifle free speech.
WhatsApp Blocked in Russia Following Telegram Restrictions
Social media app icons are seen on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration on Oct. 18, 2025. Oleksii Pydsosonnii/The Epoch Times
Rachel Roberts
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Instant messaging platform WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has been blocked in Russia for failing to comply with local law, the Kremlin said on Thursday, following restrictions placed on Telegram earlier this week.

“Due to Meta’s unwillingness to comply with Russian law, such a decision was indeed made and implemented,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Feb. 12, suggesting that Russians switch to state-owned messenger app MAX instead.

Rachel Roberts
Rachel Roberts
Author
Rachel Roberts is a London-based journalist with a background in local then national news. She focuses on health and education stories and has a particular interest in vaccines and issues impacting children.