Concerns are mounting regarding the Russian government’s recent mandate for the use of the state-controlled messenger app “Max.” This app, which lacks end-to-end encryption, allows authorities to access a wealth of sensitive personal information, including chat histories, contacts, photos, and location data. The U.S. political media outlet Politico reported on October 8 that the Russian government has made it compulsory for all new mobile phones sold since the beginning of the month to come pre-loaded with the Max app.
Government Oversight and User Privacy
Critics have drawn comparisons between Max and China’s WeChat, noting the absence of a privacy policy that would protect users’ data. The app requires users to register with a Russian or Belarusian phone number, necessitating a government-issued ID. This raises significant concerns about the potential for state surveillance of personal data. Mikhail Klimarev, head of the Russian Internet Protection Association’s asylum group, stated, “App creators are saying they will hand over virtually everything. Everything you do there can be seen by the Russian Federal Security Service.”
Since its launch, the number of Max users has skyrocketed from 1 million in early June to 30 million by September. However, this figure still pales in comparison to the user bases of popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, which boast 96 million and 90 million users in Russia, respectively.
In June, President Vladimir Putin signed legislation aimed at developing a ‘national messenger’ to reduce reliance on foreign messaging services. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the government has taken steps to block Western social media platforms, labeling them as extremist organizations. This has spurred calls for the development of domestic messaging services to enhance “digital sovereignty” and address security concerns.
Russian lawmakers believe that if the national messenger app can offer unique features that differentiate it from WhatsApp and Telegram, users will naturally gravitate toward the new platform. Meanwhile, the Russian telecommunications agency Roskomnazor has begun blocking calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram, a move described by the government as a protective measure against scammers and terrorists. However, WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has criticized this action as an infringement on the right to safe communication.
Reports from independent media indicate that civil servants, bank employees, and hospital staff are now facing pressure to transition to the Max app, further solidifying the notion that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance government control over the internet in Russia.
