Russia Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

Kremlin may ban popular messaging app to tighten control over internet resources

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted an increase in the Kremlin's censorship efforts to control the digital landscape in Russia. On July 18, Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, warned that WhatsApp may face restrictions in the Russian market and indicated that the Kremlin-backed messaging app, MAX, is intended to replace it. Committee member Anton Nemkin labeled WhatsApp a national security threat, suggesting Telegram as an alternative, but acknowledged MAX as the preferred option. WhatsApp is currently the most popular messaging app in Russia, with about 84 million daily users, but a ban on it is seen as likely. Insiders believe Telegram will remain operational due to its support of Kremlin-affiliated channels. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has been classified as an extremist organization by the Russian government. ISW has previously reported on the Kremlin's plans for MAX as a national messenger, and if successful, Telegram and other Western social media platforms may also face bans. The Kremlin's strategy aims to isolate and censor Russian citizens while promoting its narratives.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Russia Moves to Ban WhatsApp and Launch State Messenger.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is widely used in Russia, but the government has raised concerns about its compliance with local data localization laws due to its servers being outside the country. As a result, state-owned employees are prohibited from using WhatsApp for official communications starting in 2025, and a complete ban could be imposed if Meta does not comply with regulations. The Russian government is developing a domestic messaging service, informally called “Vlad’s App,” expected to launch by the end of 2025, to enhance control over information and ensure compliance with local laws. While the current ban affects only government and state employees, broader restrictions on WhatsApp may occur, potentially impacting private users. The government's push for digital sovereignty aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology and promote domestic alternatives, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the isolation of Russia's internet from the global community.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Telegram Begins Legal Process to Open Office in Russia

The developer of the Telegram messaging app has begun the legal process to establish a representative office in Russia, nearly four years after a law requiring foreign tech companies to have a physical presence in the country was enacted. Telegram Messenger, Inc. is in the approval process for office registration with Roskomnadzor, though the application date is undisclosed. Previously, Telegram has taken minimal steps to comply with Russian localization laws. The platform remains popular in Russia, attracting a varied user base. Speculation exists about the timing of this move, especially with new regulations mandating that personal devices sold in Russia come pre-installed with a state-sponsored messenger, which is expected to be filled by a new app called Max. Roskomnadzor has not confirmed Telegram's plans and has directed inquiries to the company. Telegram has not publicly commented on the office registration.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

All signal, no substance VK’s Max app aims to replace WhatsApp, but the Russian celebrities paid to promote it have found just one selling point: it works

VK is promoting its new messaging app, Max, by enlisting internet personalities and celebrities to enhance its visibility. The app is currently in beta testing and is positioned as a potential alternative to WhatsApp, especially if Russian authorities restrict access to foreign messaging platforms. Notable figures like Daria Zoteeva and Valentina Karnaukhova have praised Max for its voice call quality, sharing positive personal experiences. As of June 30, VK reported one million registered users within three months, and by early July, user numbers reportedly exceeded two million following the introduction of group video calls.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Games & Numbers (July 2

Rust has surpassed 20 million copies sold on Steam. Lords of the Fallen has attracted 5.5 million players. Peak has sold 4.5 million copies. Sultan's Game has achieved 1 million copies sold. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sold over 674,000 copies in its first three days, with total sales exceeding 1 million. The Alters sold 280,000 copies in under a month. Mafia: The Old Country has over 2.5 million wishlists. Pokémon GO has generated over billion in revenue. Whiteout Survival has surpassed billion in gross revenue. Zenless Zone Zero generated .1 million in its first year. Clash Royale earned .8 million on July 8. Wittle Defender achieved million in gross revenue. Sky: Children of the Light has surpassed 270 million mobile downloads. MLB Rivals reached 5 million installs. Valorant Mobile in China has over 40 million pre-installs. Destiny: Rising has 5 million pre-registrations. The Nintendo Switch 2 has over 5 million units sold, with 1.8 million in the U.S., 1.47 million in Japan, and 1.18 million in Europe.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Russian Developers Urge Ban on Microsoft Windows for School Exams

The Domestic Software Association, representing over 300 Russian IT companies, is advocating for a ban on Microsoft’s Windows operating system during school examinations, citing a conflict with a presidential decree banning foreign software in government institutions starting January 2025. The association expressed concerns in a letter to the Digital Development Ministry, the Education Ministry, and Rosobrnadzor regarding a directive that mandates the Unified State Exam be conducted solely on Windows. They are promoting the use of domestic operating systems like Astra Linux and urging revisions to exam preparation guidelines to include Russian office software suites. New federal regulations restrict foreign software procurement and incentivize Russian alternatives, with a law effective September 1 requiring only software registered with the Digital Development Ministry for critical national infrastructure. The initiative to replace foreign software began in 2023, but as of August 2024, only about 60% of schools and universities had transitioned to domestic solutions, with complete transition expected to take several more years.

TrendTechie

July 11, 2025

Масштабный сбой интернета в России: не работают Steam, торренты и мобильные операторы

Users of major mobile operators in Russia, including T2, MTS, MegaFon, and Beeline, are experiencing significant mobile internet connectivity issues, particularly in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region, with complaints also reported from Moscow, Tula, and Tver. Additionally, popular online services such as Steam, RuTracker, and Zen are facing connectivity problems, affecting users both domestically and internationally.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Russian Authorities Trial Restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp Ahead of Proposed Messenger Ban

On July 1, Russian authorities began a nationwide trial to restrict access to messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp, following President Putin's signing of legislation for a state-controlled "sovereign messenger." Users across Russia reported outages of these services around 11 PM on June 30, with nearly 12,000 outage reports for Telegram and 1,500 for WhatsApp recorded within 24 hours, primarily from the Nizhny Novgorod region and the Republic of Tatarstan. Analysts view this as a "targeted shutdown" in preparation for a potential complete ban, noting that competing platforms did not face similar issues and that access was quickly restored via VPN. This trial follows a law enacted on June 24 for the development of a state-controlled messaging platform under FSB supervision, with plans for features like encrypted chats and digital ID. Additionally, legislation approved earlier in June requires the establishment of a national messaging platform by 2026 to replace foreign applications for official and public use.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

The popularity of Windows 10 has plummeted

As of June 2025, Windows 10's market share has decreased to 48.9 percent from 53.2 percent the previous month, while Windows 11's share has increased from 43.2 percent to 48 percent. Earlier versions like Windows 7, XP, and 8 have significantly lower shares at 2 percent, 0.4 percent, and 0.3 percent, respectively. In Russia, Windows 10's market share slightly decreased from 74.8 percent to 74.6 percent, with Windows 11 at 19.6 percent. The decline in Windows 10's market share is attributed to the upcoming end of support in October 2025, prompting users to switch to Windows 11. Tom's Guide suggests using the Windows Backup feature for continued updates on Windows 10 after support ends.

AppWizard

June 29, 2025

Russia Launches State-Run Messaging App

Russia has introduced a state-backed messaging application, announced by President Vladimir Putin, aimed at providing a homegrown alternative to platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The initiative addresses national security concerns and seeks to enhance control over the digital landscape. The app will facilitate messaging, bill payments, form completions, and access to official records, all on a single platform. It promises standard messaging features and enhanced security measures. However, there are concerns about privacy and potential government surveillance, which may affect user adoption. This initiative is part of Russia's broader strategy to foster a self-sufficient technology ecosystem.