Russia blocks WhatsApp for failing to comply with local laws, Kremlin says

Russia blocks WhatsApp for failing to comply with local laws, Kremlin says

February 14, 2026   03:01 pm

Russia has blocked popular messaging service WhatsApp for failing to abide by Russian legislation, the Kremlin said Thursday.

“Such a decision was indeed made and implemented,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the reported ban.

Peskov said the decision was due to WhatsApp’s “reluctance to comply with the norms and letter of Russian law”.

Source: AFP

--Agencies

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