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10 bans

Here are 10 entries for banned apps & websites in Russia: what was banned, when, why, and whether the ban is still in force. Tap any item for the full story.

RussiaBannedDiscordBlocked on 8 October 2024 after Discord ignored an order to delete 947 items Russia called illegal. Roskomnadzor said the platform was used for terrorism, extremism and drug sales.Apps & WebsitesSince 2024-10-08Details →RussiaBannedFacebookBlocked in March 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine; Meta was later labelled "extremist".Apps & WebsitesSince 2022Details →RussiaBannedInstagramBlocked in March 2022 after Meta temporarily allowed some calls for violence against Russian soldiers.Apps & WebsitesSince 2022Details →RussiaBannedLinkedInBlocked for not storing Russian users' data on servers inside Russia.Apps & WebsitesSince 2016Details →RussiaBannedSignalBlocked on 9 August 2024. Roskomnadzor said Signal broke laws meant to stop messengers being used for terrorism and extremism. The app still partly works with its censorship circumvention setting.Apps & WebsitesSince 2024-08-09Details →RussiaBannedTelegramRestricted again since February 2026 after a first ban from 2018 to 2020. Roskomnadzor slowed Telegram nationwide for breaking Russian law and an official said in June 2026 that it was blocked.Apps & WebsitesSince 2026Details →RussiaBannedViberBlocked on 13 December 2024. Roskomnadzor said Viber broke laws meant to stop terrorism, extremism, recruitment and drug sales. About 26% of Russians aged 12+ used it monthly before the ban.Apps & WebsitesSince 2024-12-13Details →RussiaBannedWhatsAppBlocked on 12 February 2026, when Roskomnadzor removed WhatsApp from Russia's national DNS. The Kremlin said the app broke Russian law and told users to switch to Max, a state-backed messenger.Apps & WebsitesSince 2026-02-12Details →RussiaBannedYouTubeRussia imposed a nationwide block on YouTube on February 12, 2026, culminating years of deteriorating relations following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and disputes over content and censorship.Apps & WebsitesSince 2026-02-12Details →RussiaBan liftedTelegramApps & WebsitesDetails →

Frequently Asked Questions

What apps & websites are banned in Russia?

Our list has 9 banned or restricted apps & websites in Russia, including Discord (2024-10-08), Facebook (2022), Instagram (2022) and LinkedIn (2016).

Have any of these bans been lifted?

Yes, including Telegram. Lifted bans stay on the list, marked "Ban lifted", so you can see how the rules changed.

Is this list up to date?

We review entries regularly and add new bans as they happen. Laws change, so check an official government source before you travel or act on this information.

Laws change often and many bans have exceptions. This list is for general information, not legal or travel advice. Check official government sources before you travel. Last updated: 01/11/2026.