Russia Moves to Block WhatsApp, Pushes 100M Users to State-Controlled 'Surveillance App'

In brief

• WhatsApp said Russia attempted a full block of its service on Thursday, calling the move an effort to funnel over 100 million users toward a state-owned app without encryption.
• Kremlin spokesman Peskov warns there is “no chance” of either service returning without dialogue.
• Russia’s Max app, mandatory on new devices since 2025, has been flagged by digital rights advocates as a government surveillance tool in waiting.