Russia imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp calls on Wednesday, citing the platform's refusal to cooperate with authorities on fraud and terrorism investigations. The move places Russia among a growing number of nations that have either fully blocked WhatsApp or limited specific features of the messaging service.
Countries With Full WhatsApp Bans
China has blocked WhatsApp since 2017 through its extensive internet filtering system, known as the Great Firewall. Chinese citizens primarily rely on the domestic alternative WeChat for messaging and communication.
North Korea has maintained a complete ban on WhatsApp along with other foreign platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter since 2016. The country operates one of the most tightly controlled internet systems globally, leaving residents with virtually no access to international online services.
Partial and Intermittent Restrictions
Russia's latest restrictions follow years of tensions with foreign technology companies over content moderation and data localization requirements. The restrictions specifically target Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls, while WhatsApp text messaging remains functional.
The United Arab Emirates banned most VoIP services starting in 2017, preventing free internet-based voice and video calls. WhatsApp text messaging continued to work, though authorities briefly permitted VoIP calls in 2020 during the Expo Dubai world fair.
Qatar imposed similar limitations on VoIP calls without a formal ban, allowing WhatsApp messaging to operate normally. Egypt and Jordan have also placed restrictions on VoIP calls without moving to outright prohibitions.
Intermittent Bans and Policy Shifts
Iran lifted its ban on WhatsApp in 2025 as part of broader efforts to ease internet restrictions. Turkey has previously blocked WhatsApp during domestic disputes but currently has no active ban in place.
Uganda blocked WhatsApp and several other social media platforms in 2021 following a dispute between Facebook and pro-government accounts, though the restriction has since been removed. Cuba temporarily cut access to WhatsApp and other platforms in 2021 amidst widespread protests.
United States House of Representatives Bans WhatsApp
In the United States, WhatsApp has been banned from all official devices used by the House of Representatives. A memo sent to House staff in June 2026 confirmed the restriction, though no official reason was provided for the decision.
WhatsApp to Drop Support for Older iPhones
Alongside the global restrictions, WhatsApp announced a major update affecting millions of Apple users. Starting November 30, 2026, the messaging app will only support devices running iOS 15.5 or newer, including WhatsApp Business users. Those using older Apple software versions may lose access unless they update before the deadline.
As of 2026, at least 10 countries have implemented some form of WhatsApp ban or restriction, reflecting growing tensions between governments and Meta over data security, fraud prevention, and national sovereignty.
