In just two months, every new digital tool sold in Russia will have a new Messenger app ‘Max’. It has a software behind its blue and white people, which experts are calling the monitoring capacity of Russian people of Moscow to an extraordinary extent.
In March, introduced by Russian tech company VK, the app will be installed in all new equipment sold in Russia from September 2025. However, it is feared that the app will serve as a ‘detective program’, which will help Russia’s security agency FSB to establish a strict monitoring system.
Analysts told The Independent that the app would not only provide a platform for messaging and video calls, but will also be a comprehensive information system, including access to government services and mobile payments.
Since its servers will be located in Russia, it will be subject to Russian laws, which gives FSB the right to reach specific information.
Mark Geloti, director of May Yak Intelligence and Russian Safety and Political Specialist, Mark Geloti told the independent that more than 70 % of Russian citizens use WhatsApp, so it is likely that Moscow will soon ban the app to force people to use ‘Max’.
Russian opposition journalist Andrei Okin described ‘Max’ as the basis of Moscow’s dream of ‘Digital Golg’.
In his article written for the website Republic, which was reported by the Times, he said: “It would be a controlled environment, where the authorities will have complete control over the empty time, motivations and ideas of the citizens.”
Max Messenger app logo (maximum)
However, Russian technology and monitoring experts say the app, which is developed at the behest of Vladimir Putin, is the latest link to the constant steps taken to enhance the full monitoring capacity of the Russian digital world.
Kareres Gills independently told the author of the ‘Coriples War on the Body’: ‘This is the process of monitoring Russia’s Internet, which is a common part of it … it is a continuity of a long process. The threat to Western communication technology is not new. This has always been the focus of Russian security agencies. ,
Gills reported that Russian security agencies have been upset for decades that Russian people use foreign software such as Google, Skype and Hotmail, making it difficult to read their messages.
Russian security agencies have always seen Western communication technology as a threat.
He said that after years of restrictions on services such as WhatsApp, this recent step to attract Russians to Max is actually ‘just a supplementary action’.
Popular apps such as WhatsApp, which are owned by Meta and Russia, have said an extremist organization, now facing a possible ban.
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Gills said that the Messenger app has so far avoided the Russian rift, which was probably possible due to widespread use across the country. According to data, more than 70 % of people in Russia use this app.
He said: It would be extremely unpopular and disturbing to restrict it without providing options. ,
Professor Geloti said: The Russian state is trying to adopt a pressure policy instead of incentives, under which it is planning to ban WhatsApp or implement restrictions, and possibly in the future (messaging service) Telegram, so that people can be targeted. Whether it is complete restriction or simply slow or slowing down technical obstacles, I think WhatsApp is under rapid pressure in Russia. ,
Professor Geloti reported that the Russian opposition and anti -government activities are unlikely to have a significant impact to maximize users, as they prefer to use ‘more secure’ apps such as proton mails and signals instead of WhatsApp.
However, he said that this change could create a significant difference in ‘expression of general dislike’. “This is where it can have a stagnation effect: people who are ready to send light important things about Moscow under normal circumstances in messages, now think again.”
Russia tried to block the Telegram messaging app in 2018. However, the attempt failed and did not implement Telegram’s availability in Russia, resulting in it officially opened after two years.
However, Mikhail Climarov, head of Russia’s Internet Protection Society, told The Times that he hoped Moscow to try to close it by the end of this year.
