Story perspectives

Russia Cracks Down on WhatsApp, Promotes Surveillance App MAX

11/1/2025

Summary

Story summary

Russia tightens restrictions on voice calls through WhatsApp and Telegram, especially in southern regions.
Roskomnadzor, the Russian regulator, says the restrictions target crime, continuing a trend of blocking privacy-focused apps such as Tuta and Proton Mail.
A new law imposes penalties for advertising VPN services.
The government promotes MAX, a surveillance-heavy chat app that lacks encryption.
Users are advised to use VPNs with strong encryption and obfuscation.

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Story summary

Russia tightens restrictions on voice calls through WhatsApp and Telegram, especially in southern regions.
Roskomnadzor, the Russian regulator, says the restrictions target crime, continuing a trend of blocking privacy-focused apps such as Tuta and Proton Mail.
A new law imposes penalties for advertising VPN services.
The government promotes MAX, a surveillance-heavy chat app that lacks encryption.
Users are advised to use VPNs with strong encryption and obfuscation.