Russia has announced that starting from September 2025, the installation of the state-owned "MAX" messaging app will be mandatory on all smartphones and tablets sold within the country. This move is part of a broader plan to enhance digital sovereignty and build a local internet network, amidst concerns over increased surveillance of free speech and privacy.
Russia has made it compulsory for all smartphones and tablets sold in the country to have the state-owned "MAX" messaging app installed by September 1, 2025. This decision aims to bolster digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
The "MAX" app was developed by VK, a company partially owned by the state, and it offers a local alternative claimed to request fewer data access permissions compared to Western apps. However, critics are concerned about its potential use for surveillance and espionage.
This move is part of a broader trend of increased internet control in Russia, where the government is working towards establishing a local internet network (RuNet) that allows for full control over information flow and limits external influences, particularly after banning several independent media websites, especially those from Ukraine.
These actions reflect Russia’s growing trend towards controlling the digital space, raising concerns about the future of free speech and digital privacy protection in the country.
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