The Russian government has announced that a state-backed messenger application called Max will be pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets sold in the country starting September 1.
This decision comes as Moscow seeks to exert greater control over the internet amid an ongoing standoff with the West over Ukraine.
Max, a rival to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, has been touted as a more secure alternative, but critics have raised concerns about its potential use for tracking users.
The Kremlin has stated that Max will be integrated with government services and will be included on a list of mandatory pre-installed apps on all “gadgets,” including mobile phones and tablets.
This move is part of a broader effort by the Russian government to increase its control over the digital landscape. RuStore, Russia’s domestic application store, will also be pre-installed on all devices, including iPhones and iPads.
The decision has sparked concerns about the potential for increased surveillance and censorship.
The firm behind Max has denied accusations that the app is designed to spy on users, claiming that it has fewer permissions to access user data compared to rivals WhatsApp and Telegram.
State media has also echoed these sentiments, asserting that the accusations are false.
However, critics remain skeptical about the app’s intentions and potential implications for user privacy. With 18 million users having downloaded the app, parts of which are still in a testing phase, the concerns are not entirely unfounded.
This move by the Russian government is part of a larger trend of increasing control over the internet and digital communication.
The decision to pre-install Max and RuStore on all devices sold in Russia could have significant implications for digital freedom and user choice.
WhatsApp and Telegram, which have a significant user base in Russia, with 97.3 million and 90.8 million users respectively, may face increased competition and potential restrictions.
The Russian government’s efforts to exert greater control over the digital landscape have sparked concerns about the future of digital freedom in the country.