The Russian messaging app Max has recently updated its privacy policy, introducing significant changes that have raised concerns among users. The revised policy now allows the service to share user data with any government authority upon request and to collect information about websites visited by its users, marking a notable expansion of its data-gathering capabilities.
Under the new terms, Max stores a wide range of personal information on Russian servers, including users’ full names, nicknames, phone numbers, dates of birth, profile descriptions, and account photos. The app also logs technical details such as IP addresses, operating system types, browser information, geolocation, internet service providers, contact book data, and even user interactions within the app interface, such as clicks.
For users uncomfortable with these changes, the policy mandates an immediate cessation of service use. However, deleting an account does not result in immediate data erasure — personal information remains stored for 30 days before being permanently removed.
This retention period has sparked debate about the app’s commitment to user privacy. Interestingly, the policy implies that avoiding registration altogether might be the only way to sidestep its data collection entirely, though this option is impractical for those seeking to use the service.
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The update comes amid growing scrutiny of Max, which is being positioned as a national alternative to foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp. Critics argue that the policy reflects a broader trend of state control over digital communications in Russia, raising questions about the balance between convenience and privacy in an increasingly monitored digital landscape.
