• Russia attempts to fully block WhatsApp, affecting over 100 million users.
• The move aims to promote a state-managed surveillance app called 'MAX'.
• WhatsApp claims the action restricts private communication and safety for users.
• The Kremlin warns that the platform can return if it complies with local laws.
• Telegram faces similar restrictions as part of Russia's crackdown on foreign tech services.

Russia has "attempted to fully block" the messaging platform WhatsApp, as the Kremlin intensifies its crackdown on foreign tech companies in favor of domestic alternatives. A spokesperson for WhatsApp stated that the action aims to push users towards a "state-owned surveillance app," raising serious concerns about privacy for the estimated 100 million people using the service in Russia. This move is part of a broader strategy to increase control over the Russian internet landscape after tensions escalated following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters, India Times, and BBC.

WhatsApp described the block as a regressive step, emphasizing that isolating users from private communication can significantly lessen their safety. The statement from WhatsApp highlighted that the Russian government is trying to restrict secure access to encourage the use of the application MAX, a state-backed competitor deemed by critics to facilitate user tracking, according to Reuters and BBC.

The Kremlin has remarked that WhatsApp’s return to Russia depends on the platform's compliance with local legislation. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, suggested that a dialogue between Meta and Russian authorities could potentially lead to a resolution. However, he warned that if Meta remains inflexible, the chances of reversing the block are slim, as reported by India Times and BBC.

In relation to these developments, Telegram has also faced restrictions, as authorities accuse it of failing to comply with data storage laws. Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, criticized these actions as an "authoritarian move," asserting that Telegram would continue to advocate for freedom and privacy despite government pressure. This reflects a larger trend where the state is attempting to consolidate communication platforms under its control, reminiscent of similar strategies in other countries, according to Reuters and India Times.