PublishedFebruary 11 2026Jump to comments sectionStay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Russian politics myFT Digest -- delivered directly to your inbox.Millions of Russians were abruptly cut off from the encrypted WhatsApp messaging service on Wednesday afternoon after months of efforts to force them on to a “national messenger” built for surveillance. Russian authorities removed the Meta-owned app, which had at least 100mn users in the country until recently, from the equivalent ...