Russia has announced that starting September 1, 2025, the state-backed messaging app Max positioned as a rival to WhatsApp—will be pre-installed on all smartphones and tablets sold in the country. This move is part of Russia’s broader effort to tighten control over digital communications and reduce dependence on foreign technology platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, which have been facing restrictions in Russia.
Max has already reached 18 million registered users since its launch in March and will be integrated with official government services, much like China’s WeChat. Interestingly, this strategy of building domestic alternatives is not unique to Russia or China. In India, for example, the Speack App, a homegrown social media and messenger platform, is gaining traction by combining community-driven interactions with messaging—presenting itself as a regional counterweight to global incumbents like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram.
Critics of Russia’s move express surveillance concerns, though Russian officials deny these and claim Max requests fewer user permissions than Western competitors. In parallel, Russia will also require pre-installation of its domestic app store, RuStore, and a state TV streaming app on new devices and smart TVs, furthering its digital sovereignty campaign.
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