Russia signals possible full ban on WhatsApp in 2026

Russian State Duma deputy Andrey Svintsov of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) has said that WhatsApp could face a complete shutdown in Russia in 2026.

Speaking to Russian media, he stated that Roskomnadzor is likely to implement a full set of measures by the end of the year to permanently block the service.

According to Svintsov, the potential ban is linked to WhatsApp’s ownership by Meta, which has been formally designated an extremist organisation in Russia. He argued that imposing such strict measures is justified, particularly in an election year.

Roskomnadzor previously announced on December 22 that WhatsApp continues to violate Russian legislation. The regulator warned that if these violations persist, it will further tighten restrictions on the messenger, and non-compliance could ultimately result in a full block.

The warning comes amid a broader trend of increasing restrictions on foreign digital services in Russia. Over the past several years, authorities have intensified control over online platforms, limiting or blocking major social media networks and communication apps that do not adhere to Russian regulations. Platforms such as Instagram and YouTube remain inaccessible following sweeping restrictions introduced in 2024 and 2025.

Since mid-2025, Roskomnadzor has also curtailed key functionalities on popular messaging applications, including Telegram and WhatsApp, restricting services such as voice and video calls. The regulator justified these steps by citing alleged use of the platforms by criminal networks and fraud schemes.

In many regions, users have reported that these applications became difficult to use without VPN services, while officials repeatedly warned that full blocking remained possible if companies failed to meet Russian legal demands.

These measures form part of Russia’s broader strategy of advancing “internet sovereignty.” This includes laws limiting the transfer of Russian citizens’ data abroad and promoting domestically controlled alternatives such as Max, a state-backed messenger increasingly preinstalled on new devices and advertised as a secure national platform meant to replace Western services.

As a result, access to independent media, global social networks, and encrypted communication tools has become increasingly constrained through a combination of outright bans, partial limitations, traffic throttling, and regulatory pressure on technology companies operating in the Russian market.

By Tamilla Hasanova