Amman Today
publish date 2026-02-12 23:53:00
Russia has banned the WhatsApp messaging application, due to its non-compliance with Russian legislation, the Kremlin announced today (Thursday).
According to Agence France-Presse, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, in response to a question about banning the application, “This decision has already been taken and implemented.”
Peskov explained that the decision came as a result of “WhatsApp’s refusal to comply with the provisions of Russian law and its rules.”
On Wednesday evening, WhatsApp denounced the Russian authorities’ attempt to ban its operation. In order to force users to move to a competing, state-controlled service.
The application affiliated with the American group “Meta” said in a post on the “X” platform: “The Russian government tried to completely ban the WhatsApp application in order to push people towards a controlled, state-owned application.”
He added, “Seeking to deprive more than 100 million users of private and secure communications is a backward step that can only reduce the safety of people in Russia.”
He continued: “We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”
Earlier this week, the Russian government sought to clamp down on the Telegram messaging app.
The Internet Monitoring Authority imposed restrictions on the application due to accusations of violations.
Moscow threatens various Internet platforms with major restrictions or complete bans if they do not comply with Russian laws.
These laws stipulate that the data of Russian users be stored in the country, and that efforts be made to eliminate platforms that are used, according to Moscow, for “criminal and terrorist purposes.”
The Telegram application, founded by Russian Pavel Durov, who has French citizenship, is one of the most popular messaging services in Russia, along with WhatsApp.
Durov said in a post on his Telegram channel on Tuesday: “Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right solution,” accusing Moscow of “restricting access to Telegram, in an attempt to force its citizens to turn into an application subject to state control, designed for surveillance and imposing political censorship.”
The authorities are encouraging Russians to use the new Max messaging app, which is still much less popular.
Since 2025, the giant Russian company VK has been offering the Max application as a superior application that allows access to all government services and online commerce.
Last summer, Russia banned users from making calls via the Telegram and WhatsApp applications.
Fraud via messaging applications is widespread in Russia. The authorities also accuse Kiev of recruiting Russians through these applications to commit acts of sabotage in exchange for money.
Source: Middle East
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Source 1 : https://www.i3lam-al3arab.com/روسيا-تحظر-تطبيق-واتساب/
Source 2 : ألدستور
