WhatsApp said on Tuesday that Russian authorities are restricting its services, accusing the government of attempting to deny more than 100 million Russians access to private, encrypted communication ahead of the holiday season.
The statement came after Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor повторed its warning that WhatsApp could be fully blocked if it fails to comply with Russian law. The regulator claimed the messaging app is being used to organize terrorist activities, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud, and confirmed it has begun gradually limiting access.
Thousands of users across Russia reported outages and slow connection speeds on Tuesday, according to internet monitoring services.
WhatsApp rejected the accusations, saying the restrictions threaten the right to secure, end-to-end encrypted communication. The company warned that pushing users toward government-mandated alternatives would reduce safety and privacy for Russian citizens, adding that the platform is deeply integrated into everyday communication across families, workplaces, and communities.
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