The Russian authorities has mandated that the state-supported messaging utility MAX, which competes with WhatsApp, needs to be pre-installed on all cell phones and tablets beginning subsequent month.
This directive is a part of Moscow’s technique to boost its oversight of the digital panorama amid ongoing tensions with the West concerning Ukraine, reported Reuters.
In keeping with an official assertion, MAX can be included in a listing of important purposes that should be pre-loaded on all “devices” bought inside Russia, efficient from 1 September 2025.
The app is designed to combine with varied authorities companies.
State media has dismissed allegations from critics of the Kremlin who declare that MAX features as a surveillance software, asserting that it requires fewer permissions to entry consumer information in comparison with its rivals, WhatsApp and Telegram.
The Russian authorities has additionally mandated that RuStore, the home app retailer, may also be pre-installed on Apple units, a transfer that can take impact on the identical date.
Moreover, a Russian-language tv utility, LIME HD TV, which gives entry to state TV channels for gratis, can be pre-installed on all good TVs bought in Russia beginning 1 January 2026.
This initiative to advertise native purposes follows latest actions by Russia to restrict sure functionalities on WhatsApp and Telegram, that are owned by overseas firms.
The federal government has accused these platforms of not cooperating with regulation enforcement in instances associated to fraud and terrorism.
WhatsApp, which had roughly 97.3 million customers in Russia as of July, has responded by claiming that the federal government is trying to limit entry to safe communication channels.
In the meantime, Telegram, with round 90.8 million customers, acknowledged that it actively works to forestall the misuse of its platform.
In keeping with information from Mediascope, VK Messenger, one other state-controlled messaging service, was the third hottest app in July, with 17.9 million customers.
MAX has reported that it has been downloaded by 18 million customers, though some options are nonetheless present process testing.
The Russian inside ministry has indicated that MAX is a safer various to overseas messaging apps, though it has additionally introduced the arrest of a suspect within the first fraud case involving the brand new utility.
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