Governance

WhatsApp says Russia restrictions threaten private messaging for millions

WhatsApp has criticised restrictions in Russia after reported slowdowns, warning that limits could affect encrypted messaging for millions.

AuthorCynthia Du

Reading Time3 min

PublishedDecember 26, 2025

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Headline

WhatsApp has criticised restrictions in Russia after reported slowdowns, warning that limits could affect encrypted messaging for millions.

Context

• WhatsApp has criticised Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, for restricting its service and threatening a full block unless it complies with local law. • The company warns that forcing users onto less secure, state-mandated messaging apps could compromise privacy for more than 100 million Russians. WhatsApp has publicly criticised restrictions imposed on its messaging service in Russia, accusing authorities of attempting to deprive more than 100 million people of the right to private, end-to-end encrypted communication just before the holiday season. The comments were issued after Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, reiterated warnings that it could completely block WhatsApp’s service if the company did not bring its operations into compliance with Russian law.

Evidence

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Analysis

Roskomnadzor told Russian state media that “WhatsApp continues to violate Russian law” and claimed the platform was used to “organise and carry out terrorist acts… to recruit their perpetrators and to commit fraud and other crimes against our citizens.” The regulator said it was taking steps to gradually restrict access to the service as a result. Thousands of users in Russia reported slowdowns and intermittent outages on WhatsApp’s service on Tuesday, according to internet monitoring websites. In recent months, Russian authorities have also limited some voice and video calls on WhatsApp as part of what they describe as efforts to combat online crime. WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, Inc., said that the restrictions were aimed at forcing people onto “less secure and government-mandated apps”, which could put users at greater risk. The company emphasised that WhatsApp is “deeply embedded in the fabric of every community in the country” from family groups to workplace chats across Russian regions. The current dispute is part of a broader pattern. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin has blocked or restricted a range of foreign-owned digital platforms including Facebook and Instagram and has pursued tighter controls over online content and data.