What Is Max? The App Moscow Wants Russians To Use After WhatsApp Ban

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 21:49 IST

Russia blocks WhatsApp and restricts Telegram as it pushes users toward state-backed app Max.

Russia has blocked WhatsApp and throttled access to Telegram, escalating its long-running effort to bring foreign messaging platforms under tighter state control. As restrictions mount, Moscow is pushing users toward Max, a domestic, state-backed app positioned as an all-in-one digital platform.

Authorities accuse WhatsApp and Telegram of failing to comply with Russian legislation that requires user data to be stored locally and shared with law enforcement for investigations involving what Moscow describes as fraud or “terrorist" activity. Critics and rights groups argue the moves are part of a broader campaign to tighten internet control and expand surveillance amid the Ukraine conflict.

Against this backdrop, Max has emerged as the Kremlin’s preferred alternative.

What is Max?

Max is a messaging and services app developed by Russian social media giant VK. Marketed as a “super app," it combines chat features with access to government services, payments and other utilities, drawing comparisons to China’s WeChat.

Why is Russia promoting it?

The government has directed device manufacturers to pre-install Max on new phones and tablets. Officials say it streamlines digital services and enhances security. Critics contend it allows greater state oversight of online communication.

How is it different from WhatsApp?

Unlike WhatsApp, which offers end-to-end encryption, Max does not appear to provide the same level of encryption. That means messages may not be fully scrambled between sender and recipient, raising concerns among digital rights advocates about possible data access.

Authorities claim tens of millions of users, though some Russians have said they were required to download it by employers or institutions.

Why are critics concerned?

Digital rights groups like NGO Roskomsvoboda who spoke to AFP said that shifting users to Max could limit exposure to information the authorities deem undesirable. They argue the transition risks creating a more closed digital environment where state monitoring is easier.

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