The Kremlin has confirmed the blocking of WhatsApp and recommends the MAX app

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia had blocked the WhatsApp communication service owned by US company Meta and recommended that people use the new state-backed MAX platform.

WhatsApp had previously reported that Russian authorities were trying to block the service entirely to force more than 100 million users to switch to a state-run app that critics say could be used for surveillance. "Isolating people from private and secure communication is a step backward," the company said.

Some domains associated with WhatsApp have disappeared from the Russian national registry, meaning that the app is mainly accessible via a virtual private network (VPN).

Roskomnadzor began restricting the service in August, when it blocked calls and accused the platform of not cooperating with authorities in cases of fraud and terrorism. In December, it announced further measures, labeling WhatsApp a tool for organizing terrorist acts and committing crimes. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the agreement if Meta complies with Russian law.

(reuters, lud)