The Russian government will require the state-backed Max messenger app to be pre-installed on all smartphones and tablets sold in the country, in a move that could increase surveillance of Russian citizens.

At the end of March 2025, a new digital platform quietly launched under the name Max — developed by Russia’s tech giant VK, best known internationally for its social network often called the “Russian Facebook.” Within just three months, Max surpassed 1 million registered users, mostly Android smartp