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Russia mandates pre-installation of MAX messenger app

Published 21/08/2025, 11:14
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Investing.com -- The Russian government announced Thursday that a state-backed messenger application called MAX must be pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets sold in Russia starting September 1.

MAX, a rival to apps like Telegram and Meta (NASDAQ:META)’s WhatsApp, has been added to the list of mandatory pre-installed applications for all "gadgets" sold in the country and will be integrated with government services, according to a government statement.

The mandate also extends to Russia’s domestic app store, RuStore, which is currently pre-installed on all Android devices in the country. From September 1, RuStore will also be required on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices sold in Russia.

Additionally, the government announced that LIME HD TV, a Russian-language television application that provides free access to state TV channels, must be pre-installed on all smart TVs sold in Russia beginning January 1.

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