Surveillance tool or accessible messenger? All we know about MAX, Russia’s alternative after WhatsApp fully blocked

In a significant move that underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western tech companies, the Russian government has fully blocked Meta’s WhatsApp, citing the platform’s failure to adhere to local laws. This action has prompted the Kremlin to promote a state-backed alternative known as MAX, a messenger application that is part of a broader initiative to establish a “sovereign” communications framework amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov articulated the rationale behind the ban, stating that WhatsApp was blocked due to “Meta’s unwillingness to comply with Russian law.” This decision follows six months of mounting pressure on the American tech giant, which has been accused of enabling the use of its platform for organizing terrorist activities and other crimes within the country.

What is MAX? Russia’s alternative to WhatsApp

MAX, introduced in 2025, is designed to function as a universal mobile application, often referred to as a super app. It aims to consolidate various digital services, including social media, digital identification, electronic signatures, and access to municipal services through the electronic Gosuslugi platform. The application is seen as an evolution of VK messenger, which struggled to gain popularity since its launch in 2022.

In a strategic meeting led by President Vladimir Putin in 2024, plans were laid out to position MAX as Russia’s official messenger, drawing parallels with national messaging services like WeChat in China and Line in Japan. As part of this initiative, MAX was pre-installed on smartphones sold in Russia starting September 2025, while the government began imposing restrictions on other messaging platforms, including WhatsApp and Telegram.

Kremlin says MAX more ‘accessible’

With the complete ban on WhatsApp, the Kremlin has promoted MAX as an accessible alternative for Russian mobile users. Peskov emphasized that “MAX is an accessible alternative, a developing messenger, a national messenger. And it is an alternative available on the market for citizens.”

MAX seen as a ‘surveillance tool’ by critics

However, despite the Kremlin’s assurances, critics have raised concerns about MAX being a potential surveillance tool. The application is designed to collect extensive user data, including social media profiles and digital signatures, leading to fears that a mandatory transition to this platform would enable the government to monitor citizens’ activities closely.

According to the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), MAX is perceived as a mechanism for embedding surveillance within the fabric of Russian civic life. Senior fellow Enrique Dans remarked that “MAX is not simply a digital service, but a test case in authoritarian governance through technology.” He also pointed out the absence of end-to-end encryption in MAX, indicating that the application is engineered to share metadata, location, and other user activities with governmental authorities.