Russia introduces state messaging app, critics are afraid of WhatsApp and Co

The Internet in Russia is already largely censored. The social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are prohibited in the country. From September, a state-controlled messenger service called Max is to be introduced, which, according to the law, will be pre-installed on all new smartphones sold in Russia. Observers see here the preparation of a ban on widespread messengers such as WhatsApp or Telegram.