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Deccan Herald
4 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Russia orders state-backed app WhatsApp rival, to be pre-installed
A Russian state-backed messenger application cast as a rival to WhatsApp which critics have said could be used for surveillance purposes must be pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets from next month, the Russian government said on Thursday. The decision to promote the popularity of MAX, the new state-controlled messaging app, comes after Russia restricted some calls on WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms META.O, and on Telegram, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of failing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases. The government, which is seeking greater control over the internet space, said in a statement on Thursday that MAX, which will be integrated with government services, would be on the list of mandatory pre-installed apps on all "gadgets", including mobile phones and tablets, sold in Russia from September 1. It will also be mandatory from the same date for Russia's domestic app store, RuStore, currently pre-installed on all Android devices, to be pre-installed on all Apple devices, the government said. An online Russian-language TV app called LIME HD TV, which allows people to watch Russian state TV channels for free, will be pre-installed on all smart TVs sold in Russia from January 1 next year, the government added.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Russia To Pre-Install Max, WhatsApp Rival, On All Phones Starting September 1
Last Updated: Officials argue this integration is designed to increase convenience and security for users. The Russian government has announced that the locally developed messaging application Max will be pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets sold in the country starting next month, reported Reuters. This marks the latest move by Russia to promote state-backed digital platforms and reduce reliance on Western technologies. The announcement was made on Thursday, with officials stating that the messenger app, positioned as a domestic alternative to WhatsApp, will come pre-installed on all new devices purchased from September 1 onward. The app will be one of several included in the government's list of mandatory software for all consumer electronic devices sold in Russia. According to the Kremlin, Max will be integrated with state digital services, facilitating access to government functions such as public service portals and communication with state authorities. Officials suggest that this integration is designed to increase convenience and security for users. The developer of Max claimed that the application had been downloaded by 18 million users in just one week, despite the fact that some components of the app are still undergoing final testing and development. Critics of the move have raised concerns about user privacy and surveillance. Some believe the mandatory installation of Max could allow the Russian government to monitor private communications nationwide, reflecting a push for greater control over internet activity. However, state media has denied these claims, stating that Max requires fewer user permissions compared to apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Officials have justified the rollout of Max and other domestic apps as essential for national security, including the protection of minors and the fight against terrorism. In addition to Max, Russia will also require the installation of RuStore, the state-approved app marketplace, on Apple devices beginning next month. Furthermore, from January 1, all smart TVs sold in Russia will be required to include the Lime HD TV app, a Russian-language streaming platform. On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry reported that Max is considered safer than its foreign counterparts, although it also confirmed the arrest of a suspect in the first fraud case involving the new messenger app. view comments First Published: August 22, 2025, 01:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Mint
7 hours ago
- Mint
Russia orders state-backed MAX messenger app, a WhatsApp rival, pre-installed on phones and tablets
A Russian state-backed messenger application called MAX, a rival to WhatsApp that critics say could be used to track users, must be pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets from next month, the Russian government said on Thursday. The decision to promote MAX comes as Moscow is seeking greater control over the internet space as it is locked in a standoff with the West over Ukraine, which it casts as part of an attempt to shape a new world order. The Russian government said in a statement that MAX, which will be integrated with government services, would be on a list of mandatory pre-installed apps on all "gadgets," including mobile phones and tablets, sold in Russia from September 1. State media says accusations from Kremlin critics that MAX is a spying app are false and that it has fewer permissions to access user data than rivals WhatsApp and Telegram. It will also be mandatory that from September 1, Russia's domestic app store, RuStore, which is pre-installed on all Android devices, will be pre-installed on Apple devices. A Russian-language TV app called LIME HD TV, which allows people to watch state TV channels for free, will be pre-installed on all smart TVs sold in Russia from January 1, the government added. The push to promote homegrown apps comes after Russia said this month it had started restricting some calls on WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, and on Telegram, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of failing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases. WhatsApp, which in July had a reach of 97.3 million in Russia, responded by accusing Moscow of trying to block Russians from accessing secure communications, while Telegram, which had a reach of 90.8 million users, said it actively combats the harmful use of its platform. The third most popular messenger app in July, according to Mediascope data, was VK Messenger at 17.9 million people, an offering from the same state-controlled tech company VK which developed MAX. MAX said this week that 18 million users had downloaded its app, parts of which are still in a testing phase. Russia's interior ministry said on Wednesday that MAX was safer than foreign rivals, but that it had arrested a suspect in the first fraud case using the new messenger.
