Russia's Internet Repression: The Rise of State-Controlled Super-App Amid WhatsApp Crackdown

Tue Sep 23 2025 10:50:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As access to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram faces tightening restrictions in Russia, the government pushes its new state-approved super-app, Max. This article explores the implications for citizen privacy and communication amid growing censorship.

Recent restrictions on popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram have left Russians struggling to communicate as the Russian government introduces a new state-controlled super-app named Max. The app, promoted as a 'national messenger,' will bring together various services but raises significant concerns about privacy and government surveillance. Alongside these developments, internet blackouts continue to plague the nation, further limiting online connectivity and access to information.

Russia's Internet Repression: The Rise of State-Controlled Super-App Amid WhatsApp Crackdown

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 organization 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 used for coordinating local matters, ordering taxis, buying alcohol, and sharing news. Both apps offer end-to-end encryption which means that no third party can read messages or listen in on calls. However, officials claim the apps are being used by scammers and call for tighter regulations.

The new Max app has been aggressively promoted by pop stars and influencers, and devices sold in Russia since September must have Max pre-installed. Launched by VK, linked to oil-and-gas giant Gazprom, this super-app is set to consolidate multiple functionalities, including government services and banking, akin to China's WeChat.

Max’s privacy policy allows sharing data with third parties and government authorities, raising concerns among Russian citizens wary of state surveillance. As restrictions tighten, many Russians face a stark choice: conform to the state’s digital framework or potentially lose their means of communication altogether.

In addition to messaging restrictions, Russians are also adjusting to life without mobile internet, with ongoing outages affecting connectivity across various regions. Authorities justify these cut-offs as protection against Ukrainian drone attacks, though many residents question their effectiveness.

Despite these challenges, those resistant to the Max app may find alternative means of communication, using conventional mobile networks or even turning to VPNs. However, as government control over the internet expands, the path to maintaining private communication becomes increasingly fraught with barriers.