In a statement published on social media by Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, the messaging service said Russian authorities had attempted to “fully block” WhatsApp in a bid to push users to its state-backed app Max. The company warned that isolating “over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.” WhatsApp said it would continue to do “everything we can to keep users connected.”

The Kremlin has made no secret of its preference for Max, a messenger developed with close ties to state agencies and required to be pre-installed on all new devices sold in Russia. Officials and pro-government lawmakers have pushed the platform as a “national messenger” intended to integrate government services and replace foreign apps, though critics describe it as a tool for enhanced surveillance.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended the crackdown, attributing the restrictions to WhatsApp’s alleged refusal to fully comply with Russian laws governing data storage and cooperation with authorities. “Due to Meta’s unwillingness to comply with Russian law, such a decision was indeed made and implemented,” Peskov told reporters, urging users to adopt Max. He added that if Meta agreed to dialogue with regulators and align with Russian legislation, an agreement might still be reached.

Russia’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has already removed WhatsApp’s domains from the national Domain Name System, effectively cutting direct access for users inside the country. Many Russians have relied on virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions, but authorities have concurrently moved to block and penalize VPN usage, further restricting circumvention options.

The WhatsApp block follows years of tightening restrictions on foreign platforms. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram have been inaccessible in Russia since being designated “extremist” in 2022, and Telegram’s reach has also been limited as officials press for greater regulatory control.