Marketplace All-in-One Russia bans WhatsApp
Feb 12, 2026
Nick Marsh, BBC tech and Russia correspondent, explains Russia's WhatsApp block and the push to state app Max. Justin Rowland, BBC climate data reporter, outlines China’s small 2025 emissions fall and sector shifts. Bob Walker, BBC travel and climate reporter, shares why Europeans are choosing cooler 'coolcations' and why Norway’s pilgrim paths are drawing more visitors.
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WhatsApp Suddenly Blocked In Russia
- Russia has ordered a block on WhatsApp, cutting off about 100 million users overnight.
- The move follows Meta's 2022 designation as a terrorist organisation and ongoing conflict over content related to the Ukraine war.
State App Pushes Users Off Encrypted Messaging
- Russia is pushing users toward Max, a domestic app modelled on China's WeChat with payments and government portals.
- Max is not end-to-end encrypted, giving authorities easier access to user data compared with WhatsApp.
Encryption Is The Core Conflict
- End-to-end encryption is central to why users value WhatsApp and why authorities object.
- Platforms argue encryption protects users, while governments claim it blocks lawful access to data.