Russia Blocks WhatsApp by Removing Its Domain from National DNS.

WhatsApp Blocked in Russia

According to TSN.ua: Following the blocking of YouTube, the WhatsApp messaging service has now been rendered completely inaccessible in Russia. This disruption occurred because Russian internet providers can no longer resolve WhatsApp's domain name to its correct IP address. Consequently, the service's domain has been purged from the country's National Domain Name System (NDS) database.

WhatsApp has disappeared from the NDS records, meaning the domains whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com are no longer listed in the system. While the technical domain whatsapp.net and the link shortener wa.me remain in the NDS listings, their functionality within Russia is not supported. This blockage is widely viewed as a move to pressure users into switching to the state-supported alternative messenger, Max. This action is part of a broader trend of restricting access to foreign digital platforms within Russia's borders.

Impact on Users and the Market

As a result, WhatsApp users in Russia have lost access to this popular communication tool, highlighting the ongoing trend of limiting access to foreign platforms in the country.

This development signals a further tightening of the Russian government's control over information technology and communication platforms. Amid increasing censorship, state authorities are pushing citizens toward domestic alternatives that can be more easily monitored and controlled. This environment also poses growing risks for international companies attempting to operate in the Russian market, as the threat of service blocks and functionality restrictions continues to escalate.