Russia orders state-backed Max messenger app to be pre-installed on new phones
2 days ago
- #Messenger Apps
- #Russia
- #Internet Control
- Russian government mandates pre-installation of state-backed messenger app Max on all mobile phones and tablets starting next month.
- Max, integrated with government services, aims to provide greater control over the internet amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.
- Critics accuse Max of being a spying tool, but state media denies these claims, stating it has fewer data access permissions than WhatsApp and Telegram.
- From September 1, RuStore, Russia’s domestic app store, will be mandatory on all Apple devices, and Lime HD TV will be pre-installed on smart TVs from January 1.
- Russia has started restricting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing them of not cooperating with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases.
- WhatsApp and Telegram criticize Russia's actions, with WhatsApp accusing Moscow of blocking secure communications and Telegram stating it combats harmful platform use.
- VK Messenger, developed by the same state-controlled company behind Max, is the third most popular messenger in Russia.
- Russia’s interior ministry claims Max is safer than foreign rivals but reports the first fraud case involving the app.