lawmakers Archives

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

Russia Plans Law Forcing Banks to Use State Messenger Max for Transaction Verification

Russian authorities are advancing legislation that requires banks to verify customer financial transactions through the state-controlled messaging platform, Max, as part of the "Antifraud 2.0" initiative, which is awaiting its second reading in the State Duma. The proposed law mandates confirmation via the government messenger for all significant remote actions, but lacks clarity on what constitutes a significant action. The National Financial Market Council has opposed the initiative, labeling it as legally excessive and costly, and expressing concerns about the security risks and technical limitations of the platform. Experts argue that existing banking security measures are more effective than those proposed, and users of Max have reported being subscribed to pro-war channels without consent, indicating a lack of trust in the platform among officials and employees.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

The Mess With Max, Telegram, And More: Russians’ Patience Tested By Online Troubles

In Moscow, messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram are facing increasing restrictions due to regulatory actions by the state tech regulator, Roskomnadzor, aimed at promoting the state-backed app, Max. Mobile internet access is being intermittently disabled, causing significant disruptions for residents who rely on connectivity for services like taxis and food delivery. The Kremlin spokesperson suggested using landlines as a solution. Reports indicate that Telegram may face a complete ban by April 1. Authorities have mandated the installation of Max on new mobile devices and enforced its use in universities, with students required to install the app to receive diplomas. The throttling of Telegram has raised concerns among military personnel and their families about communication. Mobile internet outages have affected millions, prompting public outrage, especially on International Women's Day, and leading to significant economic losses for businesses in Moscow. Similar issues have been reported in other cities across Russia.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Russian Officials Use Burner Phones to Avoid State Messaging App Surveillance

Russian officials are increasingly using separate phones and SIM cards to install the state-backed messaging app, Max, due to growing distrust of the platform among government employees and state enterprise managers. Reports indicate that many officials prefer not to install Max on personal devices, often acquiring additional smartphones specifically for this purpose. Some officials register for the app using their regular numbers but continue to use separate devices for communication, and the most cautious avoid syncing contacts with their work phones. The pressure to adopt Max extends to the education sector, where students at Moscow Pedagogical State University are compelled to register for the app, with threats to their diploma access if they refuse. The university has started moving academic communication to the state messenger, with messages from the dean's office stressing the importance of registration. Additionally, a document from the Ministry of Education instructs institute directors to hold meetings with students regarding Max. Resistance is also seen in the military, with reports of servicemen in the Donetsk region refusing to comply with orders to install the app.

AppWizard

February 15, 2026

Max Cometh: What The Blocking Of WhatsApp, Telegram Means For Millions Of Russians

Russian authorities have been implementing a "sovereign Internet" initiative, which involves controlling digital communication and filtering information accessed by citizens. Recently, on February 11, Roskomnadzor removed WhatsApp from the National Domain Name System, effectively erasing it from the Russian digital landscape, which impacts over 100 million users. Two days earlier, Telegram experienced significant slowdowns, leading to fines for alleged non-compliance with Russian law. The government has been promoting the state-controlled messaging app, Messenger Max, developed by VK, as an alternative to popular platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The recent removal of 13 domain names, including those of major news outlets, marks a significant escalation in efforts to control digital information and is part of a broader strategy established since 2019 to impose stringent Internet regulations. This includes the establishment of a Russian National Domain System that allows Roskomnadzor to dictate website accessibility within the country, raising concerns about the potential instability and isolation of the Russian Internet.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Telegram is one of the last messaging apps in Russia that the state doesn’t control. Did the Kremlin just block it for good?

Telegram has experienced significant disruptions in Russia over the past two days due to interventions by the federal censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, which aims to “protect” citizens. Reports indicate that Russian authorities have initiated partial restrictions on Telegram, actively slowing the service. Telegram has faced multiple misdemeanor cases for not removing prohibited content, and Roskomnadzor has accused it of not complying with Russian legislation. For two consecutive days, users reported outages, with issues such as media files failing to load and messages not being sent or received. A poll revealed that about 21 percent of respondents experienced problems with the app, while 38 percent noted no issues, and 23 percent used a VPN to remain unaffected by restrictions. Over the past six months, Telegram and WhatsApp have faced numerous limitations from Roskomnadzor, including the blocking of audio and video calls. Reports in January 2026 indicated that Telegram was being deliberately slowed down, linking the restrictions to alleged legal violations. The Kremlin's actions to limit independent messaging platforms coincide with the promotion of Max, a state-controlled alternative, which has struggled to gain a comparable user base. Despite denials of plans to fully ban Telegram or WhatsApp, experts suggest that gradual tightening of restrictions may render these apps effectively unusable. The popularity of Telegram's channels may prevent a complete ban, as government officials continue to rely on the platform for communication.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney argues banning Twitter over its ability to AI-generate pornographic images of minors is just ‘gatekeepers’ attempting to ‘censor all of their political opponents’

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized a US initiative to ban the social media platform X and its generative AI tool, Grok, following reports of Grok generating inappropriate images, including those of minors. Sweeney emphasized the importance of open platforms and opposed political demands for censorship, labeling it as crony capitalism. Reports indicated that Grok produced troubling content, including altered images of influencers in compromising situations. In response to the controversy, X has placed Grok's image generation feature behind a paywall. Sweeney's stance on free speech contrasts with censorship practices on his own platforms, such as the Epic Games Store's ban on the art game Horses due to pressure from conservative groups. He acknowledged the dangers of AI, noting that major AIs have instances of misuse.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Meta’s Messenger accidentally included in teen social media ban due to Facebook sign-in

Meta's Messenger app is facing a ban aimed at social media platforms for teenagers, despite the government's assurance that it would be exempt. This inclusion in the ban is seen as an unintended consequence of new legislation. Over a quarter of Australian children aged 13 to 15 use Messenger, highlighting the app's significant user base in Australia. Meta is under pressure to find a solution that meets legal requirements while addressing the needs of its young users.

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.