government control Archives

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Russia blocks WhatsApp as messaging app crackdown gathers pace

The Kremlin has confirmed the blockage of Meta's WhatsApp messaging service, urging Russian citizens to switch to a state-backed platform called Max. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Max as an "accessible alternative" and a developing national messenger. WhatsApp has accused the Russian government of trying to "fully block" its service to push users towards Max, labeling it a "surveillance app" and expressing concern about isolating over 100 million users from secure communication. Russia's telecoms watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has targeted popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram for non-compliance with Russian legislation regarding data storage and security measures. This strategy aims to steer users towards domestic services that are easier to monitor. Critics argue this approach restricts freedom of expression and privacy while enabling government control of public discourse, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict. Telegram has faced scrutiny from Roskomnadzor, which has imposed partial restrictions on its services and stated intentions to continue these actions due to alleged failures in user data protection.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

The Kremlin Really Wants Russians To Switch To A New State-Backed Messenger App. Russians Really Don’t Want To.

Messenger Max is a state-backed messaging app launched in Russia to streamline bureaucratic processes and is now mandatory for many citizens. It is part of the government's initiative to create a "super-app" that consolidates various services, including school registrations and trash complaints. The app has been heavily promoted, but a survey shows that 68 percent of Russians do not use it, with many who do primarily using it for personal communication. In educational institutions, the Science and Higher Education Ministry has mandated its use for official communications, leading to reports of students facing expulsion for non-compliance. Concerns about privacy and data security have emerged, and activists have criticized the coercive tactics used to enforce compliance. The government's push for Messenger Max reflects a broader effort to reduce reliance on foreign messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Controversy is growing as the Russian government virtually forced the use of the messenger app “MAX,..

The Russian government has mandated the use of the state-controlled messenger app "Max," which lacks end-to-end encryption and allows access to sensitive personal information. As of October 1, all new mobile phones sold in Russia must come pre-loaded with the Max app. Users must register with a Russian or Belarusian phone number and a government-issued ID. The number of Max users increased from 1 million in June to 30 million by September, though it remains significantly lower than WhatsApp and Telegram's user bases. President Vladimir Putin signed legislation to develop a 'national messenger' to reduce reliance on foreign services following the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian telecommunications agency Roskomnazor has started blocking calls through WhatsApp and Telegram, with civil servants facing pressure to switch to the Max app.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

Russia’s ‘spook in your pocket’: The Kremlin rolls out a messaging app

Maxim, a 27-year-old schoolteacher from Moscow, is dissatisfied with the government's digital initiatives, particularly the new messaging platform Max, citing safety concerns and restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram. He believes these measures limit personal communication and expresses frustration over difficulties in making international calls. Analyst Nikolai Petrov suggests the Kremlin's push for digital oversight is a response to geopolitical events and aims to suppress dissenting voices. He views the rollout of Max as a means to consolidate control over the populace, with the Kremlin currently overseeing 90-95 percent of communication, a figure that could rise to 99 percent.

AppWizard

September 6, 2025

Watch a Timelapse of the Notorious Kowloon Walled City Rebuilt in Minecraft

Kowloon Walled City, located in Hong Kong, was once the most densely populated place on Earth, housing approximately 50,000 residents within 6.5 acres during the 1980s. It originated as a Song Dynasty outpost and evolved into a Qing fort, becoming a refuge for displaced individuals and informal industries due to the lack of government control. The Walled City featured a complex of makeshift high-rises, some reaching 14 stories, interconnected to allow traversal without going outside. It was dismantled in the mid-1990s and now exists only in memory and cultural references. A creator known as Sluda Builds has digitally reconstructed Kowloon Walled City in Minecraft, showcasing its skyline and intricate inner workings.