Kathrine Frich
WhatsApp may soon be banned in Russia.
WhatsApp may soon be banned in Russia.
Putin’s New App Could Be a Powerful Surveillance Tool
Russia is launching a new app called Max. Created by VKontakte, the app will combine messaging, banking, and government services.
Experts say it’s not just about convenience, it’s about control.
Max Will Replace Apps Like WhatsApp
The app is meant to become a one-stop tool for Russians.
Messaging, paying bills, booking events, and even accessing passports will all be done through Max.
Analysts say WhatsApp may soon be banned in Russia to push people toward using the new app.
No Encryption Means No Privacy
Unlike WhatsApp or Signal, Max does not use end-to-end encryption.
That means government agencies can see what users send or do. Critics say this is a major risk to privacy and free expression.
A Step Toward a “Digital Gulag”
Opposition journalist Andrei Okun calls the app a key part of Russia’s “digital gulag.”
In a piece for The Times, he warns that Max could let the Kremlin track not just actions, but people’s thoughts, habits, and routines.
State-Controlled from the Top Down
Max is developed by VK, a company under state control. VK’s CEO, Vladimir Kiriyenko, is the son of a close Putin ally.
The real power lies with shareholders linked to Yuri Kovalchuk, a man often described as “Putin’s personal banker.”
Mandatory on All Devices Soon
According to The Independent, every new phone and computer in Russia will soon come with Max pre-installed.
This could happen within the next two months, making it almost impossible for people to avoid.
Citizens May Comply But Reluctantly
Activist Sarkis Darbinian believes people will install Max, but many won’t use it unless they’re forced to.
Still, he warns that pressure from the government could slowly push Max to replace all other apps.
Digital Sovereignty, or Digital Control?
Russia says it wants “digital sovereignty”. a tech system free from Western influence.
But critics argue that Max is less about safety and more about building a system of constant, state-led surveillance.
