Revealed: how Russia uses mobile ‘super-app’ Max to spy on its citizens | Russia | The Guardian
For Russian citizens, It’s difficult to avoid having to use it, so it looks like the best solution is to have a separate “clean” phone for personal use.
2 Likes
WhatsApp, Faxebook, Zoom, … are not better. At least Max spies only on Russians…
Hypocrite The guardian, first cast out the beam of your own eye
Apples to oranges. Those apps are not state-sponsored or state-mandated, and entail entirely different consequences for their users. And no nation should be subjected to mass control by its government/ruling regime.
Strange criticism, but OK.
3 Likes
Also, there’s the danger that this model could spread to other authoritarian governments, as the article states.
I can only agree. Max is the product of a very authoritarian state. The others are not. Huge difference.
3 Likes
That Michigan professor should worry more about NSA hacks into people’s phones in US, another hypocrite!
And the language of that ‘report”: That app CAN do this, CAN do that… not actually proving it does do that!
A lot of apps on your phone with vast rights allowed CAN do plenty of things…
And those unsustained accusations towards Iran, India etc. that they would use similar apps. Just a ridiculous propaganda IMO.
Let them worry about their own government spying on US citizens left and right. Pathetic…
P.S. Also I don’t think Russian authorities “forced” people to use that app, pure manipulation.
1 Like
Regarding the NSA, I don’t disagree, although as far as I know, they haven’t published any Android super-app similar to MAX or WeChat.
As for the rest of your comments, I encourage you to consider the risks a hyper-privileged super-app like MAX poses to those who increasingly have to install it in order to access public services. It clearly has been designed with the malicious intent of monitoring and controlling people’s digital lives.
Other authoritarian regimes, and maybe even not-quite-authoritarian regimes will likely want something similar.
But this topic is about vulnerabilities and risks, not politics or political science.
1 Like
I can recognise propaganda when I see it.
The article is biased with politics and that ‘professor’ as well. You brought politics into the topic quoting that link.
I’d rather read a technical article that would make more sense than that scaremongering stunt. Are we sure people in Russia can’t use government/social services without that app? I strongly doubt it as it does not make sense.
The app is not good, yes, but they do not have to use it - like people do not have to use google but they do…
P.S. And mind google comes pre-installed as well!
1 Like
Pl keep politics out of the forum. Let focus exclusively on /e/OS and leave politics to the politicians.
7 Likes