Marina, a 45-year-old freelance copywriter, has relied on WhatsApp for her work and personal life for years. But one day last month that abruptly changed when a call to a colleague did not go through properly. They tried Telegram - another messaging app popular in Russia - but that did not work either. She was one of millions of Russians facing new restrictions imposed in mid-August by Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, on calls made through the two platforms - the country's most popular apps. The timing coincides with the rollout of a new 'national messenger' app known as Max and created by a Russian firm closely controlled by the Kremlin. Monthly user numbers of WhatsApp and Telegram are estimated to be 97 and 90 million respectively — in a country of 143 million people. From parents' chats to tenants' groups, much of daily life runs through them. WhatsApp - whose owner, Meta, is designated an extremist organisation in Russia - is especially popular with older people because of how easy it is to register and use. In some parts of Russia, particularly in remote areas, WhatsApp is essential for coordinating everyday matters, ordering taxis, and sharing news. Both apps offer end-to-end encryption, meaning no third party can read messages or listen to calls. Authorities claim these platforms refuse to store user data in Russia as required by law. However, telecommunications experts argue the crackdown is aimed at increasing government surveillance over communications. With the new app Max being aggressively promoted, it is set to combine a variety of functions including government services and banking, emulating China's WeChat.

Despite significant public concerns over the future of online communication, the authorities are pushing forward with this initiative along with widespread internet restrictions. Millions of Russians face an increasingly fragmented digital landscape as the government intensifies its control.