"The announcement came after Russia removed the technical internet records that connect platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook to their underlying IP addresses from the national system, according to local media reports. These records act like an address book for the internet, telling users' devices where to find an app or website and, without them, the services can't be reached from inside Russia other than through a virtual private network."
"The Kremlin has been pressing Russians to adopt a state-run super-app called Max, modeled after China's WeChat. That's as the government has choked off access to foreign messenger services, over which it has less control, since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Critics of Max say it leaves users more vulnerable to surveillance by Russia's security services. In addition to messaging, Max hosts government services and enables document storage, banking and other public and commercial programs."
Russia moved to fully block WhatsApp nationwide to drive adoption of the state-sponsored Max app, affecting more than 100 million users. The government removed technical internet records that map platforms to IP addresses, preventing access to services like WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook from inside Russia without a VPN. Earlier restrictions slowed WhatsApp voice and video calls, leaving other functions accessible mainly via VPN. The Kremlin has promoted Max — modeled on China's WeChat — for messaging, government services, document storage, banking and commercial programs, with state employees and property managers required to use it. Critics warn Max increases vulnerability to surveillance. Telegram has also faced access limits for failing to comply with Russian data-localization laws.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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