Users of MAX, the state-backed messaging platform in Russia, have recently voiced concerns over unsolicited subscriptions to pro-war and propaganda channels. Reports indicate that many users find themselves unable to unsubscribe from these channels, leading to frustration and confusion.
User Experiences on Pikabu
On March 18, Meduza highlighted a surge of complaints on the Russian online forum Pikabu. Users detailed their experiences of unexpected subscriptions appearing in their chat lists. One individual shared a video showcasing their futile attempts to exit a channel associated with pro-Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, only to find the channel persistently reappearing despite repeated efforts to unsubscribe.
Other users echoed similar sentiments, particularly noting issues with the desktop version of the app. Reports surfaced of unfamiliar channels cropping up in accounts, with many expressing their inability to unsubscribe. One user lamented, “I was subscribed to a bunch of spam channels. I can’t unsubscribe! They just subscribe me again. And there’s no ‘report’ button.” Another user mentioned that the application froze while trying to leave a channel, further complicating the situation.
The Context of MAX’s Development
Launched in 2025, MAX is a messaging platform developed by the Russian state. Its introduction coincides with increasing restrictions imposed by Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, on competing messaging services such as WhatsApp and Telegram. The platform has also been aggressively promoted in temporarily occupied regions, including Crimea.
Concerns regarding MAX extend beyond user experience. Ukrainian activist group Yellow Ribbon has previously warned that the app may serve as a tool for surveillance, citing its reported capabilities to access microphones, cameras, contacts, geolocation data, and personal files.
Ownership and Corporate Connections
The ownership structure of MAX reveals ties to business networks associated with the family of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The platform is operated by VK, a company whose key shareholder, Sogaz, includes stakes held by Mikhail Shelomov—identified as Putin’s cousin’s son. This connection places MAX within a broader framework of Kremlin-affiliated corporate control over Russia’s technology sector.
