Russia Threatens Internet Blackouts for WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube
▼ Summary
– Russia is planning to block foreign-owned apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Google, and YouTube to disrupt Ukrainian drone strikes.
– Domestically owned services such as the Mir payment system and state-backed messenger MAX will be protected from these shutdowns.
– Protests have occurred in Russian cities against government restrictions on foreign messaging apps, citing violations of constitutional rights.
– Critics argue these restrictions push users toward less secure, state-backed platforms that facilitate government surveillance.
– Despite official blocks on apps like Facebook and Instagram since 2022, Russia still has millions of active users on these platforms.
Russia is reportedly preparing to impose widespread internet blackouts targeting popular foreign-owned platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, and YouTube. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to restrict digital services not controlled by the state, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine.
Regional authorities claim these mobile network disruptions are designed to interfere with Ukrainian drone operations. Meanwhile, domestically developed platforms such as the Mir payment network and the new state-supported messenger MAX will remain accessible through what the Digital Development Ministry describes as a “special technical solution.” Under recent legislation, MAX, which debuted in August, will soon come preloaded on every smartphone sold nationwide.
Public opposition to these restrictions is growing. Earlier this month, demonstrations took place in several Russian cities protesting government limits on voice and video calls through apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. According to reports, members of the Communist Party have argued that these measures infringe on constitutional rights to communication freedom.
Critics, including Meta, assert that the true motive behind these actions is to steer users toward government-approved platforms, which often lack robust encryption. Services like MAX may not offer the same end-to-end encryption found in WhatsApp or Telegram, potentially making it easier for authorities to monitor private communications.
Internet blackouts have already been trialed in regions such as Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia. Because these shutdowns cut off all internet connectivity, workarounds like VPNs, commonly used throughout the country, are rendered ineffective.
This is not the first time Russia has moved against foreign digital services. Facebook and Instagram have been officially banned since March 2022 under the country’s extremism laws. Yet these efforts have met with mixed success. Recent data indicates that Russia still had 33 million active Instagram users as of mid-2025, one of the largest national user bases worldwide, though this reflects a decline of more than 20 million since 2021.
(Source: PC Mag)