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Russia orders state-backed Max messenger app to be pre-installed on new phones
(www.theguardian.com)
Does this mean HBO needs to change their name again?
this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
168 points (98.8% liked)
Privacy
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rival to WhatsApp that critics say could be used to track users
What other reason could they possibly have for requiring this?
Both can be true at the same time. Countries want to be able to spy on their citizens, and don't want their geopolitical rivals to be able to spy on their citizens.
I didn't read anything beyond post title but this reminds me of how hard WhatsApp was getting ad-time on everything because more than likely the US gov could use it to spy on people even though they've been caught using actual privacy app, Signal.
The app is definitely fully encrypted and not reading your messages!
Sadly EU goes this way too
WhatsApp with extra steps
with extra spyware
Apparently you don't know about Meta?
"Extra" spyware implies there was already spyware, so they're still correct
Just funnels the data to a different place.
Fuck Whatsapp. That shit should be shut down years ago. I wish everyone on any meets platform would from a mob, storm Zuck's house, kill him and move off social spyware.
I would immediately flip the switch without warning or hesitation if I could.
In Russia app installs you.
It definitely won’t lead to any surprise defenestrations.
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The amount of steganographic cat memes is growing rapidly on the web.
I don't think plausible deniability will give you much sway when you're dealing with the Russian government.
Gonna save this when i'll need it.
Russian companies order all new devices to be wiped and installed fresh.
Oh no! 😟 Why do they not just use state trojans and other hidden government spyware like the west? 🤔
Because they aren't smart enough to
They don't need to lie about it.
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Does it come with state mandated AI like WhatsApp?
I wonder how bad it is compared to whatsapp.
Depends on how you rate Putin reading your messages against Zuckerberg reading your messages.
Lol. Never heard of a National Security Letter in the US?
In one case, your data gets sold, but in the other you get thrown out a window.
Oh, no, Russian government ends up leaking each and every piece of information it has for 50 rubles per person through sheer incompetence. So, you are both flying out the window and getting your data sold.
Oh yeah, so it’s a 2-for-1 deal.
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No word about it not be allowed to be frozen. You can freeze apps; still there but can't run. Don't even need root for that.
Lmao joining north korea in having an "encrypted" messenger pre-installed I see.
lool
Does anyone have a complete list? The article says there's a package manager and video/TV streaming app and this chat app. What about money transfers and banking? Does this Max app do email?
spyware in
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