Russian authorities fully restrict Telegram and WhatsApp access
Updated
Updated · RTÉ News · May 9
Russian authorities fully restrict Telegram and WhatsApp access
9 articles · Updated · RTÉ News · May 9
The move, affecting users including in Moscow and St Petersburg before Victory Day, follows WhatsApp's February ban and Telegram's gradual shutdown after earlier curbs hit fewer than 20% of users.
Officials say the restrictions are temporary and needed against drone and terrorist threats, while steering Russians toward state-backed Max, a VK app reportedly used by more than 85 million people.
The clampdown extends post-2022 censorship that banned Western platforms and throttled YouTube, drawing rare criticism from residents and some pro-war voices as the Kremlin pushes a more isolated, state-controlled RuNet.
As Moscow's spyware app becomes unavoidable, what is the ultimate price of digital life for 100 million Russians?
Is Russia writing the playbook for how authoritarian states can dismantle the global internet from within?
Is Russia's new digital iron curtain protecting the state or trapping its people in a failing economy?
2026 Russian Messaging Ban: WhatsApp Blocked, Telegram Restricted, and the Struggle for Digital Freedom
Overview
In early 2026, Russian authorities escalated their control over digital communication by fully blocking WhatsApp and severely restricting Telegram, following earlier limitations on calls in 2025. These actions were justified by national security concerns, as officials accused the foreign-owned platforms of refusing to share information with law enforcement. The crackdown led to widespread disruptions, affecting millions who relied on these apps for daily communication and news. In response, many Russians turned to VPNs and other workarounds, highlighting an ongoing struggle between state control and citizen adaptation, as the government tightened its grip on popular messaging applications.