this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
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A Russian state-backed messenger application called Max, a rival to WhatsApp that critics say could be used to track users, must be pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets bought in the country starting next month, the Russian government said on Thursday.

The decision to promote Max comes as Moscow, locked in a standoff with the west over Ukraine, is seeking greater control over the internet. The Kremlin said in a statement that Max, which will be integrated with government services, would be on a list of mandatory pre-installed apps on all “gadgets”, including mobile phones and tablets, sold in Russia from 1 September.

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[–] NarrativeBear@lemmy.world 54 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The app is definitely fully encrypted and not reading your messages!

[–] oplkill@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

Sadly EU goes this way too

[–] NarrativeBear@lemmy.world 37 points 11 months ago (2 children)

In Russia app installs you.

[–] tarknassus@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

It definitely won’t lead to any surprise defenestrations.

[–] fireshell@kbin.earth 27 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] tyra@lemmy.ml 22 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Oh no! 😟 Why do they not just use state trojans and other hidden government spyware like the west? 🤔

[–] Vendetta9076@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Because they aren't smart enough to

[–] Samsy@lemmy.ml 14 points 11 months ago

They don't need to lie about it.

[–] ComradePedro@lemmy.ml 20 points 11 months ago (2 children)
[–] goldkiddo@feddit.it 12 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Apparently you don't know about Meta?

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

"Extra" spyware implies there was already spyware, so they're still correct

[–] Jason2357@lemmy.ca 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Just funnels the data to a different place.

[–] xylogx@lemmy.world 18 points 11 months ago

Does this mean HBO needs to change their name again?

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 13 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

The amount of steganographic cat memes is growing rapidly on the web.

[–] somerandomperson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 11 months ago

Gonna save this when i'll need it.

[–] jwt@programming.dev 5 points 11 months ago

I don't think plausible deniability will give you much sway when you're dealing with the Russian government.

[–] Sauvandu60@lemmy.ml 13 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I wonder how bad it is compared to whatsapp.

[–] TwilightKiddy@programming.dev 18 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (14 children)

Depends on how you rate Putin reading your messages against Zuckerberg reading your messages.

[–] TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

In one case, your data gets sold, but in the other you get thrown out a window.

[–] TwilightKiddy@programming.dev 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Oh, no, Russian government ends up leaking each and every piece of information it has for 50 rubles per person through sheer incompetence. So, you are both flying out the window and getting your data sold.

[–] TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip 3 points 11 months ago

Oh yeah, so it’s a 2-for-1 deal.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 3 points 11 months ago

Lol. Never heard of a National Security Letter in the US?

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[–] arcterus@piefed.blahaj.zone 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Lmao joining north korea in having an "encrypted" messenger pre-installed I see.

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[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 months ago

Does it come with state mandated AI like WhatsApp?

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 5 points 11 months ago

Russian companies order all new devices to be wiped and installed fresh.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

rival to WhatsApp that critics say could be used to track users

What other reason could they possibly have for requiring this?

[–] communism@lemmy.ml 2 points 11 months ago

Both can be true at the same time. Countries want to be able to spy on their citizens, and don't want their geopolitical rivals to be able to spy on their citizens.

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

No word about it not be allowed to be frozen. You can freeze apps; still there but can't run. Don't even need root for that.

[–] thatradomguy@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

I didn't read anything beyond post title but this reminds me of how hard WhatsApp was getting ad-time on everything because more than likely the US gov could use it to spy on people even though they've been caught using actual privacy app, Signal.

[–] goldkiddo@feddit.it 1 points 11 months ago