Russia blocks WhatsApp, promotes state-backed MAX messenger amid wider digital clampdown

Exam-focused facts from the 13 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Russia has blocked WhatsApp for alleged legal breaches, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov attributed the ban to WhatsApp’s reluctance to comply with Russian law.
Users are urged to switch to MAX, a state-backed platform offering messaging, e-government services and payments.
MAX openly declares it will share user data with authorities and lacks end-to-end encryption, unlike WhatsApp.
Since December, many Russians access WhatsApp only via VPN, Reuters reported.
Russia had already limited WhatsApp and Telegram calls last year, accusing them of withholding information from fraud and terrorism probes.
State regulator Roskomnadzor announced fresh restrictions on Telegram this week for similar legal non-compliance.
Russia has also blocked Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and imposed curbs on Apple’s FaceTime and YouTube services.