Internet ‘blackout’ fears grow in Russia as Putin wages WhatsApp war

Reports suggest that Vladimir Putin’s government has moved to block WhatsApp and limit access to Telegram in order to push a Kremlin-approved messaging app called Max. This new “national messenger” was introduced last month and is now pre-installed on all new devices sold in Russia from September 1.

WhatsApp and Telegram are hugely popular in Russia, with nearly 97 million and 90 million users respectively. Both apps use end-to-end encryption, which makes it difficult for authorities to monitor private messages. The Kremlin, however, has labelled Meta (the parent company of WhatsApp) as a “terrorist organisation,” paving the way for stricter control.

Unlike WhatsApp or Telegram, Max is designed to share data with third parties and government agencies. It is being marketed as a “super app,” combining social media functions with banking features, government alerts, and online services. Russian celebrities and influencers have been promoting it heavily.

This move is part of a wider effort to control Russia’s digital space. Citizens already face strict internet laws: buying a SIM card requires national ID, and telecom companies must give security services access to their infrastructure. People can even be fined for searching “extremist materials” online.

For many Russians, the restrictions have made daily life harder. WhatsApp was a lifeline for people in remote towns, used for keeping in touch with family, ordering taxis, or checking local services. Power outages across dozens of regions have added to the problem, disrupting transport schedules and leaving information boards at bus stops blank.

While state media frames these outages and restrictions as a chance for a “digital detox,” many Russians feel increasingly isolated. One woman told the BBC: “The authorities don’t want us to maintain friendships or support networks. They want everyone to sit quietly in their own corner.”

This push for digital control reflects a broader trend toward a state-run internet in Russia, raising concerns about privacy, freedom of expression, and how ordinary people will adapt to life under a tightly monitored system.