Russia has issued a country-wide mandate; starting 1 September, all mobile devices sold in the country are to ship out with Max, a state-backed messaging app, preinstalled. The order comes just a week after it slapped new restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram.
In addition to Max, RuStore, the domestic app store in Russia, must also be preinstalled on all Apple devices – the app is already preinstalled on all Android devices. The Russian government justifies its decision with Max by saying that it is a necessity to prevent terrorism and protect children, although critics point out that the authorities’ real reason has little to do with protecting people, let alone children.
There is little wonder or surprise as to why the Russian government wants: since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it’s been fighting an uphill battle against foreign messaging services, all while trying to push domestic equivalents for years. It says WhatsApp and Telegram have repeatedly ignored requests by Roskomnadzor, the Russian media and internet regulator, to stop their platform from being used for “criminal activities”.
“Access to calls in foreign messengers will be restored after they start complying with Russian legislation.”
(Source: Techspot)
