In a move that underscores Moscow’s tightening grip on digital communications, the Russian government has mandated that all new smartphones and tablets sold in the country, including Apple’s iPhones and iPads, must come preinstalled with a state-backed messaging app called Max starting September 1, 2025. This directive, announced by Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, positions Max as a domestic alternative to popular foreign services like WhatsApp and Telegram, amid growing concerns over data security and national sovereignty. The app, developed by VK—a tech giant with close ties to the Kremlin—replaces an earlier preinstalled messaging tool from the same company. According…