Claims have emerged that Russia has been monitoring its own citizens by compelling them to install mobile applications that can function as a sort of backdoor.
A backdoor refers to a hidden bypass designed to allow entry into a system without going through regular authentication or access procedures.
The British daily The Guardian reported that tens of millions of people, including Russian government officials, teachers, and students, have faced intense pressure over the past year and a half to install an app named "Max," which combines a messenger, government services, and payment functions.
Driven by a massive government promotional campaign, the app has emerged as the most widely used messenger in Russia since the summer.
An analysis by a research team led by Professor Roya Ensafi at the University of Michigan revealed that Max is capable of capturing mobile phone screens without user consent, gaining unauthorized access to information, messages, and payment histories stored within the app, and even impersonating users.
The research team pointed out that code could also be injected through Max, which the Russian government could utilize to launch cyberattacks.
It is reported that as word spreads even within Russia that Max could be used as a surveillance tool, many Russians still use Telegram or Signal instead of Max.
Some government officials are known to keep a separate mobile phone specifically for using Max.
A citizen in Moscow told The Guardian that using Max gives them the feeling that someone might be watching.
The app was developed by a social media company close to the Russian government, and The Guardian reported that President Putin is also known to indirectly hold a stake in the app.
Produced by Jeong Yu-mi | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
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