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

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 designed for messaging and payments, called Max.

Authorities have touted it as a patriotic alternative to Telegram and WhatsApp; Russian glitterati have promoted it in rap videos and comic routines. This summer, it became the country's most-used messaging app.