Marina, a 45-year-old freelance copywriter, has relied on WhatsApp for her work and personal life for years. But one day last month, that abruptly changed when a call to a colleague did not go through properly. They tried Telegram - another messaging app popular in Russia - but that did not work either.
She was one of millions of Russians facing new restrictions imposed in mid-August by Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, on calls made through the two platforms - the country's most popular apps. The timing coincides with the rollout of a new 'national messenger' app known as Max, created by a Russian firm closely controlled by the Kremlin.
Monthly user numbers of WhatsApp and Telegram are estimated at 97 and 90 million respectively — in a country of 143 million people. WhatsApp, whose owner, Meta, is designated an extremist organization in Russia, is especially popular with older users due to its ease of registration and use.
In some parts of Russia, particularly remote areas, WhatsApp is used for various functions beyond chatting, including coordinating local matters, ordering taxis, buying goods, and sharing news. Both apps offer end-to-end encryption, making it impossible for third parties to intercept communications. However, the government claims that these platforms have evaded data storage laws, leading to increased scrutiny.
To replace these popular applications, the Max app is being aggressively promoted—supported by pop stars and influencers. Starting September 1, all sold devices in Russia must have Max pre-installed. Max is designed to be a super-app, incorporating various functions, including banking and government services, and is reminiscent of China's WeChat, which also serves as a tool of surveillance.
Given the government's extensive powers to monitor online activities, many Russians have expressed concerns that their communications may not be private anymore. The Kremlin has been increasing censorship since the invasion of Ukraine, blocking several major social media platforms and imposing fines for online searches of deemed 'extremist materials.'
Along with restrictions on messaging applications, a surge in mobile internet blackouts has left many Russians disconnected from the internet entirely. Initially justified as a precaution against drone attacks, the frequent outages raise doubts about their effectiveness. As the situation evolves, those wary of conforming to the new measures face limitations on communication, emphasizing the growing tension between digital freedom and state control in Russia.
