Roskomnadzor begins restricting WhatsApp’s operations

Roskomnadzor (RKN) has initiated the gradual blocking of WhatsApp (owned by Meta – an organization recognized as extremist and banned in Russia). The regulator explained that this action is due to the messenger’s violation of Russian legislation. According to RKN, WhatsApp is being used for organizing terrorist activities within the country, recruiting perpetrators, committing fraud, and other crimes against Russians. “In connection with this, Roskomnadzor is systematically implementing restrictive measures against WhatsApp. If the messenger fails to comply with Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked,” concluded the regulator’s representative. RKN stated that the restrictions will be introduced gradually to allow users to transition to other messengers.
In late November, users also began complaining about the inability to send messages via WhatsApp. The gradual degradation of WhatsApp calls began in the summer. On August 13, Roskomnadzor announced the blocking of calls via Telegram and WhatsApp, citing that these messenger services had become the main voice services used for deception, extortion, and the involvement of Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities.
The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media stated that the prohibition was primarily aimed at preventing fraudulent calls from flowing to foreign messengers where telecom companies have no means to block them. Blocking calls, the ministry believes, “will positively impact the reduction of fraudulent calls, make internet communication safer, and lower the financial liability risk for communication operators.” Russian authorities’ demands for WhatsApp include storing user data and providing this information, including messages, upon law enforcement request, as pointed out by T.Hunter’s Investigations Department Director Igor Bederov. However, WhatsApp claims to use end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy, excluding metadata, which is used for surveillance purposes, according to an expert.
Under current conditions, complying with RKN requirements seems unlikely due to various reasons, according to TelecomDaily’s CEO Denis Kuskov. He notes that compliance is currently impossible as the services are not localized, and Meta is banned. Content Review’s head, Sergey Polovnikov, disagrees, stating that most people have already switched to other messengers, so blocking WhatsApp will not be significant.
Despite restrictions, WhatsApp still holds the top position in monthly audience numbers in the country: according to Mediascope data, in August 2025, the messenger’s audience reached 97 million users, with a daily audience of 82.1 million people. Restrictions on calls and slow mobile internet are already leading users to use WhatsApp less frequently for certain tasks, emphasized Bederov. “Vedomosti” sent inquiries to the major four operators (“MTS,” “Beeline,” “MegaFon,” and T2), as well as the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.