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Revealed: how Russia uses mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizens

Written and edited by the WorldPing NewsdeskPublished Updated Original reporting: The Guardian
Revealed: how Russia uses mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizensWorldPing
Image via The Guardian.

What happened

Research shows tens of millions of people are being forced to use platform that amounts to ‘backdoor’ on their device Over the past 18 months, tens of millions of Russians have been forced to install a new app on their phones – a violet-blue button d…

Key facts

  • Research shows tens of millions of people are being forced to use platform that amounts to ‘backdoor’ on their device Over the past 18 months, tens of millions of Russians have been forced to install a new app on their phones – a violet-blue button d…
  • Reported by The Guardian and published Fri, 18 Sep 2026 06:00:13 UTC.

Why it matters

International stories like this one shape diplomacy, travel, energy supply and security decisions well beyond the country involved, which is why WorldPing tracks every update on it in one place.

What to watch next

  • Official statements or denials from the governments named
  • Whether other major newsrooms confirm the same details
  • Any follow-up decision, vote or deadline tied to the event

Coverage timeline

When each newsroom published on this story, oldest first — all times UTC.

  1. Live: At least five injured in Russian drone strikes in Kyiv region

  2. Fire engulfs Zaporizhzhia shopping centre after Russian strike

  3. Russia’s parliamentary election: Who’s on the ballot, and why it matters

  4. Russia votes in parliamentary election as war in Ukraine drags on

  5. Revealed: how Russia uses mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizens

  6. Russia says destroyed dozens of Ukrainian drones as polling stations open

  7. India’s flag bearers revealed: Bhaker, Toor to lead contingent at Asian Games opening

Sources

The original report was published by The Guardian. WorldPing does not claim that reporting — this page summarises and contextualises it.

Read the full report at The Guardian

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