Communication

Russia Blocks WhatsApp Over Refusal to Comply With Law

Is Russia enforcing laws against non-compliant tech companies or forcing citizens onto government surveillance tools?

FEB 12·Updated FEB 13

Russia Blocks WhatsApp Over Refusal to Comply With Law

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Above: Whatsapp logo on a smartphone screen in Moscow on Nov. 10, 2021. Image credit: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Russia narrative

Foreign tech companies must follow the law like everyone else. Meta refuses to establish a legal office in Russia, ignores court-ordered fines and won't remove illegal content or help prevent terrorist attacks. WhatsApp has been caught stealing user data and serves as a surveillance tool for foreign intelligence agencies.

Spetsnaℤ 007 on X

Russia's Pivot to Asia on X

Anti-Russia narrative

Russia just blocked WhatsApp along with YouTube, Facebook and Instagram by removing them from state-controlled DNS servers. The real goal is forcing citizens onto Max, a government messenger with zero encryption, just before the 2026 elections. Cutting off 100 million people from secure communication makes everyone less safe.

WhatsApp on X

Lukasz Olejnik on X