Just a few hours ago Pavel Durov, CEO and founder of Telegram, he reported through his channel that Putin’s government had blocked access to Telegram by Russian citizens. Today that limitation has gone one step further with the blocking of WhatsApp and other Meta apps such as Instagram or Facebook.
Context. In Russia there is an organization called Roskomnadzor, aka Russian Telecommunications Supervision Agency. It’s the Russian regulator, in a nutshell. Just a day ago, Roskomnadzor announced restrictions on Telegram alleging that it was not applying Russian law, that “no real measure is applied to combat fraud and the use of messaging for criminal and terrorist purposes.”
WHATSAPP Tricks and tips to HIDE YOURSELF TO THE MAXIMUM and maintain your PRIVACY
Better, much better, Max. In Russia there are two predominant messaging apps: Telegram and WhatsApp, but from Moscow they have been promoting Max for some time. Since the summer of last year, all mobile phones and tablets sold in the country must have it pre-installed. This app has been developed by VKontakte, the Russian Facebook, whose control falls de facto to the Russian government.
Screenshot of Max’s landing page | Image: Xataka
Max integrates with government services and centralizes communications through a platform controlled by the Kremlin. Let’s think about a Russian WeChat. The excuse is the protection of citizens’ data, the complaint is that they seek to limit digital freedoms and monitor the activity of citizens.
And now, WhatsApp. With its pluses and minuses, WhatsApp is a fairly secure and robust app that, at least, is end-to-end encrypted. That does not fit with the Kremlin’s mission to control the communications of Russian citizens. WhatsApp has at least 100 million users, or rather, it had, because during the evening yesterday the Russian authorities eliminated it from the app directory maintained by Roskomnadzor.
In short, Moscow has deleted WhatsApp and other Meta apps from the Russian Internet. WhatsApp has been blocked, while Instagram and Facebook have been declared extremist and are only accessible via VPN, they point out from Financial Times. The YouTube experience has also been downgraded, although it is unclear whether it will be blocked entirely or not.
WhatsApp, for its part, has issued a statement in X ensuring that “the Russian government tried to completely block WhatsApp to force people to use a state surveillance application. Trying to isolate more than 100 million users from private and secure communication is a setback and can only reduce the security of Russian citizens. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
The problem. Although from the point of view of the Russian government it makes sense to promote Max, the truth is that blocking Telegram and WhatsApp means disconnecting the population. Everyone, including those on the front lines and civilians who use the app to find out about attacks, suffer from war. The blockade, however, was evidently going to happen.
An increase in control. Russia has been promoting a campaign against foreign courier services for four years, accusing Telegram from being used by Ukraine to recruit agents and organize attacks, without going any further. Since last year the government has been reducing network speed when using WhatsApp, making its use more frustrating and forcing Max into exile. Another of the obligations imposed by Russia directly affects Apple, which since September 1 You have to pre-install RuStorethe Russian app store, on all the company’s devices. Until that day, it was only required on Android devices.
Cover image | Dimitri Karastelev
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