Russia's Internet Constraints: The Shift from WhatsApp to State-Controlled Messaging

Sat Dec 20 2025 00:59:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following escalating internet restrictions, Russia is witnessing a significant transition from widely used apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to a government-sanctioned alternative, known as Max. As these changes unfold, a growing number of citizens are left grappling with newfound limitations on communication.

In Russia, a crackdown on popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram has prompted users to transition to a state-approved app named Max. The government’s increased surveillance is seen as a measure to control interactions and limit dissent among citizens. With ongoing internet blackouts affecting vast regions, Russians are struggling to maintain connectivity in both their personal and professional lives, raising concerns about privacy and freedom.

Marina, a 45-year-old freelance copywriter, has relied on WhatsApp for her work and personal life for years. But one day last month, that abruptly changed when a call to a colleague did not go through properly. They tried Telegram - another messaging app popular in Russia - but that did not work either.

She was one of millions facing new restrictions imposed in mid-August by Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, on calls made through the two platforms - the country's most popular apps. The timing coincides with the rollout of a new national messenger app known as Max, created by a Russian firm closely controlled by the Kremlin.

Monthly user numbers of WhatsApp and Telegram are estimated to be 97 and 90 million respectively — in a country of 143 million people. From parents' chats to tenants' groups, much of daily life runs through them. WhatsApp - whose owner, Meta, is designated an extremist organisation in Russia - is especially popular with older people because of how easy it is to register and use.

In some parts of Russia, particularly in remote and sparsely connected places in the Far East, WhatsApp is more than just a messaging app used for chatting with friends and colleagues. Mobile browsing can be painfully slow, so people use the app to coordinate local matters, order taxis, buy alcohol, and share news.

Officials claim the apps refused to store Russian users’ data domestically, leading to the crackdown. However, Central Bank figures show most scams still happen over regular mobile networks. Many Russians see the crackdown as a way for the government to surveil their conversations more closely.

The authorities don’t want us ordinary people to maintain any kind of relationships or mutual support. They want everyone to sit quietly in their own corner, remarks Marina.

A State-Approved Super-App

The new Max app is aggressively promoted by pop stars and bloggers, and since 1 September, all devices sold in Russia must have it pre-installed. Launched by VK, owner of the largest Russian social network, Max aims to integrate various functions from government services to banking, mirroring China’s WeChat.

Privacy concerns are substantial, as Max’s policy permits sharing user information with third parties, inviting risks of surveillance from security services. Meanwhile, Russians are adapting to life without mobile internet due to increasing shutdowns.

Blackouts reached a peak this summer, affecting up to 77 regions simultaneously, framed by authorities as a necessity against drone attacks from Ukraine. Nevertheless, many residents see a diminished quality of life and increasing government overreach.

As more Russians are compelled to abandon their favorite apps, there are whispers of resistance; many find ways around using Max despite the risks. However, with stricter laws and government supervision, fears linger about the future of digital freedoms in Russia.