Kremlin-backed Max messenger app to be pre-installed on all smartphones sold in Russia

In a significant move towards increased state surveillance, the Russian government has announced that the Max messenger app, backed by the Kremlin, will be required to be pre-installed on all smartphones and tablets sold within the country. This directive will take effect starting September 1. Additionally, the RuStore app, a domestically developed alternative to Apple’s App Store, will also be pre-installed on iPhones. From January 1, the Lime HD TV program, which offers free access to Russian state television channels, will automatically come installed on Smart TVs in Russia. Max, which was launched by the state-controlled social media company VK in March, serves as a successor to VK Messenger, an app that has been on the government’s mandatory app list since 2023. This new platform allows users to send messages, make audio and video calls, and transfer money, with plans for further features, including a travel booking service, as indicated in VK's latest earnings report. Since its launch, approximately 18 million users have registered for Max, as reported by Russian state news outlet TASS. The app draws comparisons to China's WeChat, providing an all-inclusive platform for messaging, social media posting, and financial transactions. Experts have previously noted that user activity on WeChat is likely monitored by the state. In conjunction with these developments, Russia has been actively restricting access to foreign messaging services. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X have already been banned, and just this month, the federal media regulator imposed limitations on voice calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram, citing a need to combat criminal activities. WhatsApp has accused the Russian government of attempting to obstruct access for its 100 million users in the country. Unlike Max, both WhatsApp and Telegram offer end-to-end encryption, which safeguards user data from unauthorized access. According to Anastasiia Kruope, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, Russia's efforts to limit the use of foreign social media have led an increasing number of users to switch to domestic platforms. In a recent report, Kruope highlighted that the Kremlin's promotion of Russian alternatives is forcing users to adapt to local browsers and social media networks. Senior fellows at the Center for European Policy Analysis have also pointed out that the ongoing pressure on WhatsApp is part of a broader strategy to compel Russians to migrate to Max. Max was co-founded by Pavel Durov, the billionaire behind Telegram, who was ousted from his CEO position at VK in 2014 due to conflicts over censorship and user data issues. The current CEO of VK, Vladimir Kiriyenko, is the son of Sergey Kiriyenko, who serves as the First Deputy Chief of Staff to President Putin.