Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have observed a marked escalation in the Kremlin’s censorship efforts, aimed at consolidating its grip over the digital landscape in Russia.
Shifting Messaging Landscape
On July 18, Anton Gorelkin, the First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, issued a cautionary note regarding WhatsApp’s future in the Russian market. He indicated that the messaging platform should brace for potential restrictions, as it is “highly likely” to face challenges ahead.
Gorelkin further revealed that the Kremlin-backed messaging application, MAX, is poised to take WhatsApp’s place among Russian users. In a similar vein, committee member Anton Nemkin expressed concerns about WhatsApp being a national security threat, proposing Telegram as an alternative, albeit with the acknowledgment that MAX is the favored choice moving forward.
According to Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian media outlet, WhatsApp currently reigns as the most popular messaging app in Russia, boasting approximately 84 million daily users. However, sources close to the Kremlin suggest that a ban on the app is all but inevitable.
Insiders have indicated that while WhatsApp may be sidelined, Telegram is likely to remain operational due to its hosting of numerous Kremlin-affiliated channels and its role in supporting a broader pro-government media framework.
In a significant development, WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has been designated as an extremist organization by the Russian government. This designation aligns with Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s recent directives to impose stricter regulations on software originating from “unfriendly countries.”
ISW has previously highlighted the Kremlin’s intention to establish MAX as its national messenger. If the rollout of this new application proves successful, there is a possibility that Telegram and other Western-linked social media platforms may face bans in the medium to long term.
The Kremlin’s strategy appears to be one of increasing repression, aimed at isolating and censoring Russian citizens while simultaneously promoting its own narratives and war efforts.
