Russian officials are increasingly turning to separate phones and SIM cards to install the state-backed messaging app, Max, a move that underscores a growing distrust of the platform among government employees, lawmakers, and managers of state-owned enterprises. This development was highlighted by Faridaily on March 17, drawing from various sources within Russian authorities and state corporations.
Distrust in the National Messenger
According to reports from the Telegram channel, officials have been directed to transition to the national messenger, which is being marketed as an alternative to Telegram. However, many are opting not to install it on their personal devices. Instead, they are acquiring additional smartphones and “clean” SIM cards, specifically designated for the app’s use. One source close to the Russian government articulated a common sentiment: “Everyone thinks that if you install Max on your phone, it’s the same as handing it over to the FSB.”
Some officials do register for the app using their regular phone numbers but continue to utilize separate devices for communication. The most cautious among them avoid syncing contacts from their personal phones with the devices designated for Max, treating these additional phones strictly as work tools for communicating with colleagues.
Pressure Beyond Government
The pressure to adopt the Max messenger extends beyond government structures, infiltrating Russia’s education system as well. Students at the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPGU) report being compelled to register for the state-run messaging app, with warnings that refusal could jeopardize their access to diplomas via the government services portal, Gosuslugi. The university has begun shifting academic communication and administrative processes to the state messenger, with screenshots revealing messages from the dean’s office emphasizing the necessity of registration to continue utilizing the university’s digital systems.
Furthermore, a document obtained by Ostorozhno, Novosti from the Russian Ministry of Education, dated February 13, instructs institute directors and deans to convene meetings with students to discuss the use of the Max messenger and to report on the outcomes of these discussions.
Resistance in the Ranks
Similar resistance is being observed within the Russian military, where servicemen are reportedly pushing back against orders to switch to the state-controlled messenger. Reports indicate that Russian troops stationed in the Donetsk region have refused to comply with directives to install Max, as noted by agents of the ATESH partisan movement.
