Russia’s new Max messenger, lacking encryption, is being aggressively promoted as authorities block WhatsApp and Telegram, raising surveillance fears
WARSAW: Russia is aggressively promoting its new Max messenger while simultaneously blocking access to WhatsApp and Telegram.
The unencrypted social media platform is being pushed onto citizens through a massive campaign, raising concerns it will be used for state surveillance.
“Any data that passes through this application can be considered to be in the hands of its owner, and in this case, the hands of the Russian state,” cybersecurity researcher Baptiste Robert told AFP.
Launched by Russian giant VK, Max combines messaging with access to government services, digital ID, and banking, similar to China’s WeChat.
President Vladimir Putin has touted it as a more “secure” platform that meets Russia’s demand for “technological sovereignty.”
The app has been pre-installed on devices sold in Russia since September and is on a “white list” of services that stay online during internet blackouts.
Unlike its blocked rivals, Max does not use end-to-end encryption and stores user data exclusively on servers in Russia.
“This is the culmination of policies aimed at creating a sovereign internet,” said internet governance expert Marielle Wijermars.
She added that Russia wants to migrate citizens to state-controlled platforms to better control published content.
The rollout has made life without Max increasingly difficult for many Russians.
Large businesses have been accused of forcing employees to download it, and schools have migrated parent communications to the platform.
“I have been ‘forced’ to use Max for school activities for my children and to access the government’s official online portal,” said Irina, a 45-year-old doctor.
The aggressive campaign has driven downloads to over 100 million users.
Some citizens, however, are resisting the pressure to adopt the state-backed app.
Scientist Alexandra, 32, refuses to download Max “out of contrariness” to its heavy-handed promotion.
Another user, Natasha, 48, expressed a feeling of resignation about the app’s future dominance in Russia.
“Sooner or later, there will be no alternative.”
