In February 2026, Russia permanently banned WhatsApp, cutting off access for millions and justifying the move with accusations of legal violations and security threats. Simultaneously, the government pushed the state-controlled Max app, mandating its pre-installation and use in public sectors, which raised serious privacy concerns due to its lack of encryption and data-sharing with authorities. This was part of a broader digital sovereignty strategy that included restricting Telegram, deploying deep packet inspection technology, and enforcing internet shutdowns that only allowed state-approved services like Max. These measures caused massive economic losses and social mistrust, fueling public protests and widespread use of VPNs despite aggressive government efforts to block them. Driven by war-related fears and a desire to suppress dissent, Russia’s digital crackdown deepens isolation but faces persistent resistance, making the future of its controlled internet uncertain and volatile.
...