Key Takeaway
Research shows tens of millions of people are being forced to use platform that amounts to ‘backdoor’ on their deviceOver the past 18 months, tens of millions of Russians have been forced to install a new app on their phones – a violet-blue button designed for messaging and payments, called Max. Authorities have touted it as a patriotic alternative to…
Published September 18, 2026 · Category: News
Overview
Research shows tens of millions of people are being forced to use platform that amounts to ‘backdoor’ on their device
Over the past 18 months, tens of millions of Russians have been forced to install a new app on their phones – a violet-blue button designed for messaging and payments, called Max.
Details
Authorities have touted it as a patriotic alternative to Telegram and WhatsApp; Russian glitterati have promoted it in rap videos and comic routines. This summer, it became the country’s most-used messaging app.
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Source
Originally published at www.theguardian.com.
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What is "Revealed: How Russia use mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizens" about?+
Research shows tens of millions of people are being forced to use platform that amounts to ‘backdoor’ on their deviceOver the past 18 months, tens of millions of Russians have been forced to install a new app on their phones – a violet-blue button designed for messaging and payments, called Max.Authorities have touted it as a patriotic alternative to Telegram and WhatsApp; Russian glitterati have promoted it in rap videos and comic routines. This summer, it became the country’s most-used messagi
Who reported this story?+
This story was reported by The Guardian World.