From September 1, every new phone and tablet sold in Russia will come with a new messaging app called Max, whether users want it or not.

On the surface, Max looks like just another chat app. But in reality, it is Moscow’s latest move in its standoff with Silicon Valley. For years, the Kremlin has blocked or restricted Western platforms. Now, it is pushing its own homegrown alternative, one it can fully control.

WhatsApp and Telegram are still extremely popular in Russia, with over 97 million users on WhatsApp and nearly 90 million on Telegram. However, the Kremlin has repeatedly accused these platforms of aiding fraud, spreading extremism, and most importantly refusing to share user data with authorities.

That’s where Max comes in. The app, developed by VK, Russia’s state-backed tech giant, is being promoted as a “safer” option. Beyond messaging, it promises to integrate government services. Users can pay bills, book hospital visits, or even file taxes directly inside the app.

But critics warn that this so-called convenience is actually a digital trap. By tying communication, payments, and personal data together, the Russian state could gain unprecedented surveillance power.

There are also teething problems. Max is still in its beta stage, with several unfinished features. Yet, authorities are forcing it onto tens of millions of devices. Ironically, within weeks of its launch, police reported the first fraud case committed on Max.

For many analysts, the bigger issue is surveillance. Opponents believe Max is less about innovation and more about making private conversations transparent to the state.

Russia isn’t alone in this approach. China’s WeChat has long been the global model — a super-app for chatting, payments, shopping, and even legal services, all under heavy government control. Vietnam has its local messenger, Zalo, while Iran has pushed citizens towards apps like Soroush and ADA after banning Western services.

The common theme is data sovereignty — the idea that countries should control citizens’ digital data, not foreign companies. In democracies, this often sparks debates over privacy and server locations. But in authoritarian states, it becomes a question of power and control.

For Moscow, Max is more than a messaging app. It’s part of a larger effort to shield Russia’s digital life from Western sanctions while showcasing its own technological independence.

Still, the big question remains: will Russians actually use it? Pre-installation guarantees visibility, but it doesn’t guarantee loyalty. WhatsApp and Telegram are deeply entrenched, and it may take years — or a heavy hand — to shift users away.

One thing is clear: in today’s world, battles aren’t only fought with tanks and missiles. They are also fought with apps, servers, and the data flowing through our phones.