State-Backed Max Messenger Reaches 45 Million Users and Could Prompt Scrutiny Over Surveillance and Data Use

  • 45 million+ registered users

  • Average daily reach: 18.2 million; record day over 21 million

  • Platform claims: 3 billion messages, 700 million calls, 6.5 million chats; 11,000+ channels (as of Oct 15)

Max messenger: 45M users, 18.2M daily reach and Digital ID rollout in Russia — read COINOTAG’s data-driven brief on adoption, features, and privacy implications.

Published: October 18, 2023 — Updated: October 18, 2023

Author/Organization: COINOTAG

What is Max messenger?

Max messenger is a state-backed Russian messaging platform developed by VK (formerly Vkontakte) and rolled out in beta in March 2023. The app offers text, voice and video messaging, large-file transfers, money transfers, business mini-apps and a recently introduced Digital ID feature that integrates with Russian retail and government services.

How many users does Max messenger have and what growth has been reported?

According to the platform’s press service and reporting from Russian media including RBC, Max has surpassed 45 million registered users, a rise of about 5 million since early October. The company reports an average daily reach of 18.2 million users this month, with a single-day peak exceeding 21 million. The press release states users have sent over 3 billion messages and placed more than 700 million calls since launch, and the number of chats rose to 6.5 million in October.

What features and platform integrations does Max offer?

Max supports messaging, voice and video calls, voice messaging, conference calling, large file sharing and money transfers. It includes business integrations in the form of mini-apps and chatbots. In mid-September the messenger added a “Digital ID” feature that enables users to verify identity, status or age when purchasing from Russian retailers. The platform is available in mobile, desktop and web versions and has been added to a list of applications Russia requires to be pre-installed on devices sold in the country.

Context: Government role, distribution and industry response

VK developed Max with support from the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, positioning it as a national alternative to Western messaging services. Industry reporting states device manufacturers in China and South Korea were working to pre-install the app ahead of local requirements. Russian officials have promoted Max as requesting fewer permissions and providing strong security, while independent observers and privacy advocates have raised concerns about potential government surveillance, collection of personal data and increased censorship risk.

How does Max relate to Telegram and WhatsApp developments in Russia?

In recent months Russia has taken steps to limit features of foreign encrypted messaging services. WhatsApp publicly accused Russian authorities of restricting call features, and Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov has previously resisted demands to provide encryption keys to Russia’s security services (FSB). Russian officials, including the deputy head of the presidential administration Maxim Oreshkin, have denied plans to ban foreign apps outright while still promoting Max as a domestic alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many messages and calls have been made on Max messenger since launch?

Per Max’s press service, users have exchanged over 3 billion messages and made more than 700 million calls since the platform launched in beta. The service also reports over 20 million video messages sent since late August and more than 11,000 channels as of October 15.

Is Max messenger mandatory on new devices in Russia?

Russian authorities have added Max to a list of apps that are required to be pre-installed on devices sold in the country. Industry reporting indicates phone manufacturers were preparing to include the app on new devices, ahead of regulatory deadlines.

Key Takeaways

  • Rapid adoption: Max reports 45 million+ registered users and an average daily reach of 18.2 million, signaling fast uptake in the Russian market.
  • Feature set: The app offers messaging, voice/video calls, money transfers, mini-apps and a Digital ID for retail and government interactions.
  • Privacy and policy implications: State support and mandatory pre-installation have raised privacy, surveillance and censorship concerns among experts and civil-society observers.

Conclusion

Max messenger has rapidly scaled to tens of millions of users and introduced features — notably Digital ID — intended to integrate communications, commerce and government services within Russia. COINOTAG’s reporting relies on the app’s press service and coverage by Russian media (including RBC) for the statistics cited. As adoption grows, stakeholders and regulators will need to balance convenience and national-policy goals against data protection and freedom-of-expression risks. For ongoing coverage, follow COINOTAG’s updates.

Sources (plain text): Max press service; RBC reporting; VK (Vkontakte); Ministry of Digital Development and Communications; statements attributed to WhatsApp and public comments by Pavel Durov and Russia’s presidential administration.

BREAKING NEWS

Whale Who Opened $140M BTC Short Reverses, Boosts Bitcoin 5x Leveraged Long — On-Chain Analyst Ai Auntie

COINOTAG reported, citing on-chain analyst Ai Auntie (@ai_9684xtpa), that...

Whale Boosts ETH Long to $19.7M After Closing $140M BTC Short, On-Chain Analyst Reports

COINOTAG reported on October 16 that on-chain analyst Ai...

Bitcoin Tests $110,000 Support Amid Whale Selling and $1.15B Put Surge — ETF Inflows Could Push Price to $150,000

BRN Research highlights that Bitcoin is testing a critical...

October 16 Pre-Market: Bitcoin-Linked US Crypto Stocks Rally as American Bitcoin (ABTC) and Coinbase Lead Gains

COINOTAG News reported on October 16 that pre-market trading...

Whale Flips From $140M BTC Short to 3x ETH Long, Opens $2.47M Position

COINOTAG News reported on October 16 that an on-chain...
spot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Related Articles

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_imgspot_img