Russia’s National Messenger MAX Gets a Major Upgrade for Video Conferences
The latest update to Russia’s homegrown messaging app MAX adds new tools for managing group calls, signaling the country’s growing push toward digital self-sufficiency.
A sweeping update to the Russian messenger MAX has made it far easier to host and manage online conferences. Organizers now have access to a ‘Waiting Room’ feature that lets them control when participants join, and a ‘Raise Hand’ option to keep discussions orderly and focused. Group calls can start instantly from any chat with a single tap on the phone icon — and unlike many global platforms, MAX imposes no limits on call duration or number of participants.
Building a Fully Domestic Digital Ecosystem
The update marks another step in Russia’s effort to expand its domestic tech ecosystem and reduce reliance on foreign services. Earlier this year, MAX introduced Digital ID — a feature that consolidates users’ government documents and access to federal online services within the app. The function is designed to make Russia’s e-government services faster, simpler, and more secure.
Another headline feature is Alisa, an AI-powered assistant based on the YandexGPT 5 Pro model. Competing with international counterparts like ChatGPT, Alisa helps users with everything from study and work tasks to everyday personal requests — entirely free of charge.
As MAX continues to roll out new features, it’s evolving from a standard chat app into a cornerstone of Russia’s digital independence — one that rivals global messengers not just in scale, but in sophistication.
