by In just two months, every new digital device in Russia will be equipped with a brand new messenger app called Max. Under his playful white and blue logo, software, from which experts could believe, is that the Kremlin dramatically spies on its ability to spy on the Russian public.
The app, which started in March by the Russian Tech company VK, will be installed on every new device in Russia from September this year. However, there are fears that it acts as a “espionage program”, so that the Russia’s FSB security service can set up a rigid surveillance program.
The app not only offers a room for message and video calls, but will also be a broader information system with access to government services and mobile payments, analysts said The independent. For servers in Russia, Max is subject to Russian law, which grants the FSB access to certain materials.
WhatsApp – The Global Messenger app, which is used by more than 70 percent of Russians – is “very likely” forbidden because Moscow is pushing people The independent.
The Russian opposition journalist Andrey Okun said that Max would be of central importance for the dream of the Kremlin to construct a “digital gulag”. Writing for the republic Website, he said in comments from reported by The times: “This will be a sterile space in which the authorities have complete control over leisure, motifs and the thoughts of the citizens.”
However, experts in Russian technology and surveillance say that the introduction of the app, which was allegedly developed on Vladimir Putin’s orders, is only the latest step in repeated measures to improve the ability to monitor the entire Russian online sphere.
“This is a normalization of the monitoring of Russia via its internet use … it is part of a long, long process,” Keir Giles, author of author of Russia’s war against everyone told The independent. “The perceived threat to western communication technology is not new. It was something that was always a focus for the Russian security services. “
Moscow’s security industry has been frustrated by Russian citizens for decades of Russian citizens who use foreign software such as Google, Skype and Hotmail, which it generally made it more difficult to read their messages.
Western communication technologies have always been perceived as a threat to Russian security services. After years in which he had tried to deal with services like WhatsApp, the recent step to push Russians towards Max is “really only updated at this point,” he added.
Popular apps such as WhatsApp – a Messenger from Meta, which is referred to by Russia as an extremist organization – are now faced with a potential ban.
Mr. Giles said the Messenger app was an “anomaly” to avoid the so far Russian approach, probably because of its widespread use in the whole country. Figures show that it is used by more than 70 percent of people in Russia.
“It would be annoying and unpopular too [ban it] Without having a replacement, ”added Giles.
Prof. Galeotti said: “The Russian state is interested in using sticks and carrots by either prohibiting or restricting whatsapp [messaging service] Telegram in the future just to drive people towards Max.
“No matter whether it is a complete ban or whether it is just a kind of weakening and restrictions, I think WhatsApp will find itself under real pressure in Russia.”
It is unlikely that the users urge Max that the Russian opposition and activism against the government have significant effects, explained Prof. Galeotti because they tend to avoid whatsapp in favor of “more serious” apps such as Proton Mail and Signal.
But it could cause a significant change in the “casual dissent”, he added. “It could have an icy effect here: people who are in other circumstances that are willing to send messages with slightly bizarre content via the Kremlin could think about it twice.”
Russia previously tried to block the Telegram Messaging app in 2018. However, the attempt failed and did not have a practical effect on the availability of telegram in Russia, which was officially unlocked two years later.
But Mikhail Klimarev, head of the Russia’s Internet Protection Society, told The times that he expected Moscow to renew attempts to ban it by the end of the year.
