WhatsApp vows to protect privacy as Russians sue over messaging bans
WhatsApp has announced it will defend the right of its Russian users to private communication. This comes as Russian authorities continue to throttle messaging services, prompting citizens to sue Roskomnadzor and the Ministry of Digital Development.
The plaintiffs argue that authorities are violating constitutional rights by restricting calls within messaging apps. They describe these measures as unjustified and disproportionate to the government's stated security goals, according to Radio Svoboda.
Legal filings highlight a critical contradiction: mobile calls and SMS, not encrypted apps, remain the primary channels for fraud. Despite this, the state continues to target platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Protests erupt over 'Digital Iron Curtain'
Public anger has reached a breaking point this winter. Protesters in several cities have taken to the streets to oppose the restriction of Telegram and WhatsApp calls and the forced transition to "Max," a state-promoted alternative.
The censorship expanded in early December when authorities blocked Roblox. Roskomnadzor claimed the popular gaming platform was used to spread extremist material and "LGBT propaganda" among children.
On December 14, over 50 people gathered in Tomsk to protest the Roblox ban. This event is part of a larger trend; since May 2025, regional mobile internet has been restricted at least 11,000 times across Russia.
Putin’s push for domestic software
During his annual press conference, President Vladimir Putin addressed the growing frequency of internet blackouts. When asked if medical apps for diabetics could be placed on "white lists" to avoid disruptions, Putin instead recommended using domestic software.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has publicly criticized the Kremlin’s strategy. A spokesperson told Reuters that the Russian government is attempting to deprive over 100 million people of encrypted communication just before the holiday season.
The 2026 outlook: Tightening the grip
Cyber-law expert Sarkis Darbinyan views the current lawsuits as a vital signal of resistance, though legal victory remains unlikely. He notes that Russia avoids a total ban on Telegram because the platform remains a key tool for pro-Kremlin messaging.
Data from the "Na Sviazi" project confirms that by late 2025, mobile internet restrictions had affected nearly every region in Russia. Leningrad authorities have already warned of potential blackouts during the upcoming winter holidays.
Looking toward 2026, experts anticipate a surge in censorship. This may include new laws targeting the consumption of "forbidden content" and a full-scale crackdown on VPNs and other circumvention tools.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
