Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Russia’s government-backed messaging and services platform, Max, has disappeared from Apple’s App Store, dealing a setback to Moscow’s efforts to promote the app as a national alternative to foreign digital platforms.
The removal comes as Russian authorities intensify efforts to encourage citizens, public institutions and state-owned organisations to adopt Max, a multifunctional application launched by technology giant VK in 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, Max confirmed that the application had become unavailable for download on Apple’s platform after disappearing the previous night.
“Max is temporarily unavailable for download in the App Store,” the company announced.
Neither Apple nor Russian authorities immediately provided an explanation for the removal.
The development follows a broader trend in which Apple and Google have removed numerous Russian applications linked to entities sanctioned by Western governments.
Max has been widely promoted by the Kremlin as a strategic platform supporting Russia’s push for technological sovereignty.
The application combines messaging, social networking, digital identity services, banking and government functions, drawing comparisons with China’s WeChat.
Russian authorities have also encouraged public institutions, schools and government agencies to migrate communications from platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to Max.
However, critics have raised concerns about privacy and surveillance.
Unlike WhatsApp and Signal, Max does not use end-to-end encryption, while its terms of service state that user information is stored exclusively on servers located within Russia.
President Vladimir Putin has publicly endorsed the platform, describing it as a secure digital alternative aligned with national interests.
The removal is likely to intensify debates around digital freedoms, data privacy and state control of online communications in Russia.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 
