- Security researchers have discovered that the messaging application developed by Russia Max comes with “excessive monitoring” skills
- The application must be pre -installed on each new device sold in Russia as of September 1
- The Kremlin is also considering block WhatsApp, the most popular messaging application today in Russia
The Russian rival of WhatsApp, the Max messaging application developed by the State, seems to be designed to spy on its users.
That is the verdict that comes from multiple technical analysis commissioned by Forbes, only days before the application is forced to all devices sold in Russia. As of September 1, technology suppliers must pre -install the MAX application in all new smartphones and tablets.
However, experts from the Russian digital rights group, Roskomsvoboda, told Techradar that Max actually comes with less permits than rivals such as Telegram and WhatsApp. However, they still strongly do not use the application for confidential communication.
“The biggest problem lies in the fact that everything transmitted through Max will be stored on government servers,” Ilya Perevalov, a technical expert from Roskomsvoboda and Global RKS, told Techradar, adding that the total impact on users “will be clear in the future.”
Developed by VK, the supplier behind mail.ru email and vknote social media service – Max first launched in March 2025 and already tells 18 million registered users, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. Similar to the Chinese Wechat, Max is also integrated with government services.
What are the risks of using Max?
Security researchers who spoke with Forbes have found the application to constantly monitor user activities thanks to “excessive monitoring” capacities. The application also seems to lack encryption protections, while based on a general insecure design.
These findings confirm what privacy experts have feared for a long time: the use of Max will make Russian citizens vulnerable to state surveillance. An accusation that, until now, the Kremlin has denied strongly, declaring PakGazette that “it has fewer permits to access the data of users than WhatsApp and Telegram rivals.”
While Roskomsvoboda experts confirmed what Kremlin states about the amount of permits that Max requests, they are still warning that the application could become a surveillance tool.
“Max has enormous surveillance potential, since all the information and communication within it are accessible to real -time intelligence agencies,” explains Perevalov.
Max users also have a higher risk of data and fraud violations, especially considering that confidential data such as payment and bank details are integrated into the application.
In general, “Max should not be used under any circumstance for confidential communication,” says Perevalov.
Can people in Russia use other encrypted messaging services?
While Signal has been blocked in Russia since August last year, WhatsApp is still available and the most used messaging application throughout the country at the time of writing.
However, this could change soon, since the authorities have recently confirmed their intention to prohibit WhatsApp in Russia, blocking access to the only target property service that still works in the country.
Even more recently, on August 13, 2025, Interfax confirmed that the authorities partially restrict calls both in Telegram and WhatsApp, supposedly as a measure to combat criminal and terrorist activities.
The impending WhatsApp prohibition occurs when the Kremlin also recently approved a law to punish online searches of the so -called ‘extremist’ content, while adding new sanctions to those who use VPN services.
This means that using one of the best VPN services to avoid a possible WhatsApp ban, or any other application, suddenly it has become increasingly challenging.
