Kremlin mandates state-backed Max messenger to be pre-installed in smartphones sold in Russia

The Russian government-backed Max messenger app needs to be pre-installed in all smartphones and tablets sold in the country, after authorities launched a crackdown on foreign social media apps.

An official statement said that Max will be available on all devices from September 1. Apart from the homegrown communication app, RuStore, a rival to Apple’s App Store, will also be pre-installed in the phones.

What is the Max app?

Max was introduced in March by the state-controlled social media company VK as a replacement for VK Messenger, which has been included on the government’s list of mandatory apps since 2023.

The app is equipped with features like messaging, making audio and video calls and sending money, while makers have said that additional updates will be introduced in the future.

According to Tass, around 18 million people have registered with Max since its launch.

Russia restricts WhatsApp, Telegram

Russia has started restricting certain communications on WhatsApp and Telegram, tightening its grip on the foreign-owned encrypted messaging services as part of its wider bid to exert greater control over the internet.

The state’s digital regulator alleged the platforms were being misused for “sabotage and terrorist activities” and accused their owners of refusing to share information with law enforcement, the Interfax news agency reported.

Moscow’s disputes with international tech companies have simmered for years, particularly over data storage and content regulations. Tensions escalated sharply after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with critics arguing that the Kremlin is moving to consolidate its authority over the country’s online space.