Russia has intensified its internet controls by restricting WhatsApp and Telegram while promoting a state-backed super-app called Max, amid growing internet blackouts that disrupt daily life and raise surveillance concerns.
Since mid-August, millions of Russians have faced new restrictions on calls through WhatsApp and Telegram, the country’s most popular messaging apps. Users like Marina, a freelance copywriter, report sudden disconnections that hinder both work and personal communications, highlighting the apps’ integral role in Russian society.
The crackdown coincides with the aggressive rollout of Max, a state-approved messenger created by VK, a firm controlled by Kremlin allies. Modeled after China’s WeChat, Max aims to be a super-app for messaging, payments, and government services, and since September 1, it must be pre-installed on all devices sold in Russia.
Officials justify the measures by citing non-compliance with data localization laws and scam prevention, but experts dispute this, pointing to Central Bank data showing most fraud occurs on regular networks. Telecom analyst Mikhail Klimarev suggests the real goal is political control to monitor and restrict communications.
This is part of a broader digital repression that began with the Ukraine invasion, including bans on social media like Facebook and Instagram, and new laws penalizing searches for “extremist” content, such as works by opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Additionally, mobile internet blackouts have become widespread since May, with officials claiming they counter drone attacks. However, critics argue they are ineffective and severely disrupt daily life, as seen in cities like Vladimir and Krasnoyarsk where residents struggle with transportation and services.
Max’s privacy policy allows data sharing with government bodies, raising fears of surveillance in a country where private messages can lead to prosecution. Digital rights advocate Sarkis Darbinyan warns that plans to keep only Max online during blackouts could create a controlled internet ecosystem.
Despite government pressure, Max has only 30 million users, far fewer than its rivals, and many Russians resist using it. Alternatives like VPNs are available but increasingly risky, as their use can be cited in criminal cases.
The trend suggests a move towards a China-style controlled internet, where Max becomes central, potentially ending the open access Russians have long enjoyed and deepening state oversight of digital life.