surveillance tool

AppWizard
February 13, 2026
Russia has officially blocked WhatsApp due to Meta's non-compliance with local laws, as announced by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The Kremlin encourages citizens to use MAX, a state-owned messaging app, as an alternative. In response, WhatsApp expressed concern that the ban isolates over 100 million users from private communication, which could decrease safety. Critics have raised concerns about MAX being a potential surveillance tool, while Russian authorities deny these claims. Roskomnadzor began imposing restrictions on WhatsApp last August, citing violations of Russian laws and claims of the platform being used for illicit activities.
AppWizard
February 12, 2026
The Russian government has officially blocked WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, due to its failure to comply with local laws. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed this decision and encouraged citizens to use MAX, a state-backed messaging service, as an alternative. Critics have raised concerns about MAX being a potential surveillance tool, which the authorities denied. The ban on WhatsApp follows six months of pressure on the platform as part of a broader strategy by Russian authorities to establish a "sovereign" communications infrastructure. Meta Russia has been designated as an extremist organization, and WhatsApp criticized the government's actions, warning that blocking the app could increase risks for over 100 million users in Russia. Restrictions include the removal of WhatsApp's domain names from Russia's national register, forcing users to access it via VPNs. The government has also imposed restrictions on other social media platforms and has fined WhatsApp for not removing prohibited content, insisting on the establishment of a local representative office, which has not occurred.
AppWizard
February 12, 2026
WhatsApp has been completely banned in Russia due to its non-compliance with local laws, following a campaign by the Kremlin for foreign technology firms to adhere to Russian regulations. The ban comes after six months of pressure from the government, which has also designated Meta as an extremist organization. In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has promoted MAX, a state-backed messaging service, as an alternative, despite concerns about its potential use for surveillance. Access to WhatsApp has been blocked without a VPN, leading to protests in Moscow for unrestricted internet. Some users are willing to continue using WhatsApp with a VPN until they switch to MAX. The crackdown on WhatsApp began in August, citing its failure to cooperate with law enforcement and ongoing violations of Russian law, resulting in fines and a requirement for the company to establish a local office.
AppWizard
February 12, 2026
The Russian government has blocked the messaging application WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, due to the company's non-compliance with local regulations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested citizens use MAX, a state-backed messaging app, which integrates government services. Critics have labeled MAX a surveillance tool, while authorities deny these claims. Meta Russia has been classified as an extremist organization, and WhatsApp has expressed concerns about the government's actions isolating over 100 million users from secure communication. Restrictions on WhatsApp began in August due to alleged failures to cooperate with law enforcement. Russian courts have fined WhatsApp for not removing prohibited content and have demanded the establishment of a local representative office, which has not been met. Users are turning to VPNs and alternative messaging platforms like Telegram.
AppWizard
February 12, 2026
Russia has enacted a complete blockade of WhatsApp due to Meta Platforms' non-compliance with local regulations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the blockade and encouraged citizens to use MAX, a state-backed messaging service. Critics have raised concerns about MAX being a potential surveillance tool, which Russian officials deny. This blockade is part of a broader strategy for a "sovereign" communications infrastructure, requiring foreign tech companies to comply with Russian laws or face exclusion. WhatsApp has over 100 million users in Russia and has expressed concerns that the blockade jeopardizes user privacy and security. Following the blockade, several WhatsApp domain names have disappeared from Russia's national domain register, making the app accessible only via VPNs. Roskomnadzor has not commented, and previous restrictions on WhatsApp included limitations on calls and fines for not complying with Russian laws.
AppWizard
November 29, 2025
MAX is a new messaging platform launched by VK in Moscow, designed to consolidate various services and mandated by Russian authorities to be included in all new smartphones and tablets starting September 1. This move coincides with a ban on calls from foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. MAX is promoted as a secure alternative to foreign apps, but lacks end-to-end encryption, raising privacy concerns. The Russian media regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced plans to consider a complete ban on WhatsApp, which has nearly 100 million users in Russia, citing its role in facilitating criminal activity. Public sentiment is mixed, with some individuals expressing distrust towards MAX while others seem unconcerned about the transition to it or other messaging alternatives.
AppWizard
October 2, 2025
Cybersecurity researchers have discovered two families of Android spyware that impersonate messaging applications Signal and ToTok, linked to campaigns named ProSpy and ToSpy. ToTok was discontinued in 2020 after being identified as a surveillance tool for the UAE government, but the spyware is disguised as an enhanced version called ToTok Pro. The spyware requests extensive permissions upon installation and exfiltrates sensitive data. It was distributed through third-party websites posing as legitimate services, with confirmed detections in the UAE, indicating a targeted operation. The spyware campaigns primarily aim at privacy-conscious residents in the UAE, as suggested by the domain name ending in “ae.net.”
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