Apple Pulls Russia’s State-Backed ‘Max’ Messenger from App Store

Apple has removed Russia’s state-backed Max messenger from its App Store. Developers say the app disappeared on Wednesday night and remains unavailable. Apple has not offered an official reason for the removal. Max issued a statement confirming it is “temporarily unavailable” in Apple’s marketplace. Russian authorities have pushed Max as a super-app lacking end-to-end encryption, raising surveillance concerns. They have also limited access to WhatsApp and Telegram while urging public agencies and civil servants to switch to Max. Launched by VK in 2025, Max bundles messaging, social media, government services, digital ID, banking and payments. It comes pre-installed on devices sold in Russia but is blocked in the EU.

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