Russia's Big Push for a State-Run Messaging App

In Russia, a new messaging app called MAX is making waves. It's everywhere: on billboards, recommended in schools, and even preloaded on phones. In one town near Moscow, loudspeakers urged people to download it. But why all the fuss?

Government Tactics

The Russian government is using some sneaky tactics to get people to use MAX. For a while, they made it hard to make voice and video calls on popular apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. They said it was to prevent fraud, but calls on MAX stayed clear as day. This move is part of a bigger plan by President Vladimir Putin to control what people see and say online.

The "Sovereign Internet"

Experts say Putin wants to create a "sovereign internet" in Russia. This means an internet that's cut off from Western technology and influences, making it easier for the government to censor and control. Philipp Dietrich, an expert on the Russian internet, explains that in an authoritarian system, a free internet just doesn't work. So, the government is pushing people to use domestic systems that they can control.

Why It Matters

But why is this important? Well, in a world where information is power, controlling the internet means controlling what people know and think. It's a big step towards limiting freedom of speech and access to information. It's also a reminder of how technology can be used not just to connect people, but to control them.