Russia Implements New 'Super-App' Amidst Growing Internet Blackouts

Mon Sep 15 2025 14:58:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Russia intensifies its control over internet access, a new state-sanctioned app, Max, is poised to replace popular platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, raising concerns about privacy and freedom.

In the wake of increasing censorship and internet blackouts, Russia is pushing a state-approved messaging app, Max, while simultaneously restricting access to widely used platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The new app's integration into everyday life is a reflection of the government's tightening grip on communication and information, creating fears among citizens regarding privacy and loss of connection.

Marina, a 45-year-old freelance copywriter, has relied on WhatsApp for her work and personal life for years. However, her experience changed dramatically last month when a call to a colleague couldn't go through properly. Although they tried switching to Telegram, they encountered the same issue. This predicament reflects the struggles faced by millions of Russians as the media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has imposed new restrictions on these popular applications, coinciding with the rollout of a new state-controlled app named Max.

Currently, WhatsApp and Telegram command approximately 97 million and 90 million monthly users, respectively, in a country of 143 million. The easy-to-use WhatsApp, particularly popular among the elderly, has been designated by the Russian government as a platform linked to extremist activities due to its ownership by Meta.

In many remote areas of Russia, WhatsApp goes beyond simple communication; it serves as a tool for coordinating local activities, ordering services, and sharing news, especially given the slow pace of mobile browsing. Both messaging apps offer end-to-end encryption, giving users a sense of security that traditional mobile networks fail to provide.

This crackdown aligns with the government's plans for Max, which is being heavily advertised and is set to become a multi-purpose platform, integrating services from governmental digital services to banking—an approach reminiscent of China's WeChat. Users are under pressure as all new devices must have Max pre-installed from September. Privacy concerns loom large, given the app's policy to potentially share user data with third parties, raising alarm bells amidst widespread surveillance in Russia.

Alongside these restrictions, many Russians are adapting to disruptions in mobile internet connectivity as complete cities face blackouts. The official narrative attributes these blackouts to security measures against potential Ukrainian attacks, though experts question the effectiveness of shutting down the internet as a countermeasure against drones. Residents find daily life increasingly challenging without reliable internet access, emphasizing their dependence on digital platforms.

As the government pushes Max as a solution for communication needs bereft of WhatsApp or Telegram, citizens grapple with the implications of increasing digital control. Many remain hesitant to adopt Max but face a bleak outlook as the Kremlin further tightens its control over not just technology, but the very fabric of social interaction within Russia.