The world-renowned online whiteboard service Miro has completely blocked access from Russia. CNews reports this. When attempting to access the site from a Russian IP address, a blocking message is displayed.

As the publication notes, the TASS agency drew attention to the problem. A CNews employee personally verified the blocking: at the time of publication, Miro was unavailable from both mobile internet and home internet. Connecting via a foreign IP instantly solves the problem.

Miro cites the need to comply with Western requirements as the reason for the blocking — the company is European-American, with its head offices located in San Francisco and Amsterdam. The official service message states that in accordance with export control and economic sanctions legislation, the company restricts access from countries and regions not covered by its support policy. Restrictions apply even if a user is temporarily in such a country, although they do not usually reside there.

What kind of service is it?

Miro was created by natives of Russia — two natives of Perm, Oleg Shardin and Andrey Khusid. The project has existed since 2011; until 2019, it was called RealtimeBoard. The main function is to create and collaboratively use virtual canvases: on online whiteboards, employees discuss ideas, build diagrams, draw graphs, and visualize concepts. Essentially, it is a web version of wall-mounted whiteboards from meeting rooms.

In September 2026, the Italian company Bending Spoons announced the acquisition of Miro. The deal amount is $1.355 billion, with Miro's equity value estimated at approximately $1.79 billion, taking into account net cash on its accounts. Bending Spoons acquires 100% of Miro's shares; the deal has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

This is the second blocking

The complete IP restriction is Miro's second anti-Russian action. The first occurred in late summer 2024: at that time, the service announced its withdrawal from the country and the deactivation of Russian users' profiles. This was not announced in advance — Russians were given less than a month to find an alternative.