Kremlin Archives

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

Telegram messaging app faces fines in Russia, state media report

Telegram faces potential fines of up to 64 million roubles (approximately [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In a significant development for the Telegram messaging platform, the company is poised to face potential fines totaling up to 64 million roubles (approximately [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: MOSCOW, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The Telegram messaging app faces fines of up ‌to 64 million roubles ($0.82 million) ‌in eight upcoming Russian court hearings, state news agency RIA reported on Tuesday, ⁠citing ‌court documents.It said the hearings were in ‍connection with alleged failures by Telegram to remove information required by Russian law.Telegram, founded ‌by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov, is a hugely important channel for private and public communications in and ⁠about Russia. Newsmakers of all kinds, including the Kremlin and the exiled opposition, ‍all ⁠use it constantly to distribute information instantly to ⁠a large audience.($1 = 77.3000 roubles)(Reporting ‌by Reuters; editing by ‌Mark Trevelyan)" temperature="0.3"].82 million) across eight forthcoming court hearings in Russia. This information was reported by the state news agency RIA, which referenced official court documents outlining the situation. Legal Challenges Ahead The upcoming hearings are centered around allegations that Telegram has not complied with Russian legal requirements to remove specific content. This situation underscores the ongoing tension between digital communication platforms and regulatory frameworks in Russia. Founded by Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur, Telegram has emerged as a vital tool for both private and public discourse within the country. Its role in facilitating communication is particularly pronounced among various stakeholders, including government entities and opposition groups. The platform serves as a crucial medium for disseminating information rapidly to a broad audience, making it an essential player in the landscape of Russian media. As the hearings approach, the implications for Telegram could be significant, not only in terms of financial penalties but also regarding its operational dynamics within Russia's complex regulatory environment. " max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.7" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].82 million) in eight upcoming court hearings in Russia due to alleged failures to remove content as required by Russian law. The hearings are based on information reported by the state news agency RIA, citing official court documents. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov, is a key platform for private and public communications in Russia, used by various stakeholders including the Kremlin and opposition groups.

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

Moscow chokes Telegram as it pushes state-backed rival app

Russia's internet regulatory body, Roskomnadzor, is throttling Telegram for alleged national law violations, part of a broader strategy to promote a controlled domestic online service. The Russian government threatens internet platforms with slowdowns or bans for non-compliance with laws that require Russian user data to be stored domestically and prevent use for "criminal and terrorist purposes." Critics view these regulations as a means for increased state control and surveillance. Roskomnadzor plans to introduce phased restrictions on Telegram, which is widely used in Russia. Moscow is promoting a state-backed competitor, Max, that offers additional services. Users experienced slow traffic on Telegram following the announcement. Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, has faced tension with Russian authorities and legal troubles in France related to allegations against Telegram, although travel restrictions were lifted in July 2025.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

To the MAX: Authoritarian states are developing messaging apps in an effort to control their populations

In Novorossiysk, Russia, students are mandated to install the state-backed MAX messaging app to avoid exclusion from winter examinations, part of a broader initiative to shift communication to this platform. This reflects a trend in Russia where the government promotes state-sanctioned IT services, similar to efforts seen in other authoritarian regimes. MAX is compared unfavorably to WeChat, which has a robust ecosystem and a large user base, while MAX struggles to gain traction in a smaller Russian market. Previous Russian efforts at creating sovereign messaging apps, like TamTam and ICQ New, have failed. Laws now require communication through MAX, raising concerns about privacy and security. Despite initial resistance, there is a potential for MAX to become a communication staple in Russia if alternative platforms are restricted. In Iran, the state-run super app Rubika has faced public resistance, similar to the skepticism surrounding MAX in Russia as it may facilitate state censorship.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Russia enforces Max messenger as mandatory digital passport app | Ukraine news

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that designates the Max messaging app as a digital passport, allowing users to verify their age and identity at public venues using a QR code. The app is mandatory for civil servants, public employees, and students, with non-compliance risking dismissal or expulsion. The Max app consolidates essential documents and communication tools, raising privacy concerns as user data becomes accessible to state agencies, including the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Critics describe the initiative as a move towards a tightly controlled system, with some referring to it as a “digital GULAG.” Russian authorities are promoting the app's integration into citizens' lives as part of a broader agenda to control digital existence.

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

December 5, 2025

After WhatsApp and Apple FaceTime, Russia bans Snapchat; government says: App being used to… – The Times of India

Russia's state internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, has blocked Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime, accusing both platforms of facilitating terrorist activities and criminal operations. The agency stated that these apps were used to organize terrorist activities, recruit individuals, and commit fraud against citizens. Snapchat has been unavailable in Russia since October 10. This action is part of Russia's broader strategy to restrict digital communications, having already blocked major Western platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, along with messaging services such as Signal and Viber. Telegram's voice and video calls are also facing limitations. The Kremlin is promoting MAX, a state-controlled app that combines messaging, government services, and payments, which is mandatory on new mobile devices. WhatsApp has received warnings of a potential ban if Meta does not comply with law enforcement requests. Additionally, virtual private network services are increasingly being blocked by Russian authorities.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Russian censorship agency threatens total block of WhatsApp citing terror links

Roskomnadzor, Russia's media regulator, has warned WhatsApp that it could be blocked unless it complies with local laws, citing concerns about the platform's use for terrorist activities and fraud. The agency highlighted WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption as an obstacle for law enforcement. Since August, Roskomnadzor has implemented gradual restrictions, including blocking voice calls and instructing telecom operators to stop text message verifications for new users, with a complete ban possible if compliance is not met. The regulator has suggested users switch to domestic alternatives, such as the state-backed MAX messaging app. WhatsApp has around 97 million users in Russia and has faced increasing scrutiny amid a broader crackdown on foreign messaging services. The company has reiterated its commitment to end-to-end encryption but has not publicly responded to Roskomnadzor's latest threats.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Russian Lawmakers Still Prefer Telegram Despite Kremlin Push for State-Backed Max Messenger

Russian lawmakers prefer using Telegram for communication despite a Kremlin directive to shift to the state-backed app, Max. A study by Polilog found that deputies from the United Russia party have about 4.8 million subscribers on Telegram, with State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin having the highest engagement rates. Posts from lawmakers of the New People party receive an average of 31,000 views, significantly higher than the 11,200 views for United Russia deputies. Approximately 25% of deputies communicate solely through text, 55% use a mix of text and images, and 20% include video content. Despite government efforts to promote Max, including restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp calls, many lawmakers continue to use Telegram for updates. Duma Speaker Volodin launched a Max channel, but updates were reportedly still shared in Telegram chats, contrary to official guidelines.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Scams Surge on Kremlin-Backed Messaging App Max

The Kremlin-supported messaging application Max is experiencing a significant rise in account rental scams, with around 1,000 fraudulent ads appearing daily on darknet forums and Telegram channels, offering users between and 0 for temporary access to their accounts. Approximately 9% of fraudulent calls in Russia now originate from the Max platform, a figure that could more than double by the end of 2025. Developers of Max have blocked 67,000 suspicious accounts in August and have partnered with Sberbank and Kaspersky Lab to improve security. Recent legislation has imposed criminal penalties for the transfer of accounts and SIM cards, with offenders facing up to two years in prison. The Interior Ministry has noted that account rentals are a primary tactic used by scam call centers on Max.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Meet Max, Russia’s all-in-one app: From messages to spying on Russians

The Russian messaging application Max was first tested in March 2025 and is developed by Communication Platform LLC, a subsidiary of VK. It is marketed as a "national" and "unified" messenger, with significant promotion from the Kremlin. A law signed by President Vladimir Putin in June 2025 established Max as a state-owned entity, mandating its use in school chats and pre-installation on smartphones. Mobile operators are required to offer Max without consuming data traffic. Users in occupied Ukrainian territories are also required to install the app. Restrictions on other messaging services have been implemented, with security services limiting their functionalities. By mid-August 2025, Max had around 18 million users, but it has faced criticism for lacking end-to-end encryption and requesting excessive access to smartphone features. Users have reported performance issues and concerns over surveillance by the Russian government. The Kremlin has acknowledged monitoring through Max, and the app is compared to China's WeChat. Putin has ordered increased control over foreign messaging applications, aiming to restrict the use of foreign software by September 2025.