“Hello! Hello! Mom, can you hear me? You’re freezing up. Let me try calling back without video.” These words have become all too familiar for many making calls home to Russia, as connectivity issues plague conversations via popular messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. Over the past few weeks, millions have experienced the frustrations of lagging audio and dropped calls, a consequence of the ongoing attempts by authorities to restrict access to these platforms.
With WhatsApp utilized daily by 67% of Russians and Telegram by 62%, the implications of these restrictions are profound. These apps serve as vital lifelines for families and friends, both within Russia and abroad. The government’s push to replace them with the state-backed Max messenger is not merely a technical shift; it represents a strategic move towards comprehensive information control. The official narrative, which cites the need to combat scammers, seems disingenuous when juxtaposed with data from Kaspersky and the Russian Central Bank, indicating that mobile calls are far more frequently exploited by fraudsters than messaging apps.
Despite the evident flaws in the government’s rationale, Roskomnadzor has yet to impose a ban on mobile calls, leaving the door open for scammers to exploit the newly introduced Max messenger. While users can still access Telegram and WhatsApp through VPNs, the battle against censorship has turned into an arms race, particularly challenging for the elderly and those less tech-savvy. Many have attempted to guide their relatives in setting up VPNs, only to see them surrender to the convenience of Max, despite its inferior reliability.
Administrative Pressure and the Rise of Max
In the current landscape of Putin’s Russia, administrative pressure plays a significant role in shaping communication choices. Public-sector workers, often treated as subservient, face mandates to transition their work communications to Max. This directive extends to government agencies, universities, and property management companies, all of which are compelled to adopt the state’s surveillance messenger.
There are growing concerns that a complete ban on Telegram and WhatsApp could soon follow, with discussions already underway regarding mandatory integration of Max with essential services such as banking and state portals. A glance at China’s WeChat, which has been fully integrated into daily life since 2011, offers a glimpse of what this future might entail. With over 90% of the population using WeChat, the app operates under stringent state control, lacking privacy protections and subject to constant monitoring for dissenting content.
The parallels between WeChat and Russia’s Max messenger are striking. A study conducted by programmers on GitHub concluded that Max functions not merely as a messaging platform but as a comprehensive data collection center. This raises alarming prospects for privacy and freedom of expression, as users may find themselves under scrutiny for sharing even innocuous content within group chats.
As the Russian regime tightens its grip on communication, the potential for increased apathy and hopelessness within society looms large. The scenario could unfold in two distinct ways: either the authorities fail to effectively block Telegram and WhatsApp, allowing them to remain as primary communication tools, or Max becomes the dominant platform, pushing social and political discourse into the shadows.
In either case, the implications for communication—both domestically and internationally—are significant. The ability to connect with loved ones abroad will become increasingly difficult, and the chilling effect of surveillance will likely stifle dissent. Even those who remain loyal to the regime may find the prospect of constant monitoring unsettling, as the government seeks to extend its control over every aspect of life.
