The Russian government is escalating efforts to block WhatsApp, following similar actions against Telegram. WhatsApp users can only access the service through VPNs, but the government is targeting those as well. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has been labeled "extremist" in Russia.

The Russian government is aggressively promoting its new state-controlled messaging app, MAX, while simultaneously sabotaging competitors like WhatsApp and Telegram to push users towards a more censored and controlled internet. This initiative aligns with President Putin's broader strategy for a "sovereign internet," limiting foreign technology and enhancing state surveillance.