Messenger MAX to Open Registration for Foreign SIM Card Holders
Russia’s secure messenger MAX, initially limited to users in Russia and Belarus, is preparing to gradually open registration for foreign SIM card holders while maintaining its strict focus on cybersecurity.
A Proactive Approach to Security
MAX was designed from the ground up as a highly secure platform, built on the principle that it is better to prevent problems in advance than to deal with the fallout later. Its encryption protocols are unique, blocking unauthorized access to user data, and all information is stored exclusively on servers within Russia.
The decision to introduce new functionality only after rigorous testing reflects this security-first approach. Currently, the ability to register new accounts or foreign phone numbers is restricted, with access limited to users in Russia and Belarus.
This does not mean the platform is meant to remain closed. Future updates will expand access geographically, but only once mechanisms for screening out potential fraudsters are fully tested. As Anton Nemkin, member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy and federal coordinator of the United Russia party’s 'Digital Russia' project explained, the claims that MAX is being built as a closed ecosystem are unfounded.
Dispelling the Myth of a Closed Platform
“This is a typical myth that distorts reality. In fact, a large share of fraudulent schemes are based on the use of foreign numbers, which makes the work of law enforcement much more difficult. Restricting registration is therefore a tool to reduce the risk of criminal activity and to enhance digital security for citizens,” Nemkin said.
Statistics confirm his point. In mid-July, the number of suspicious calls from foreign numbers jumped sixteenfold in just one week, according to Sberbank. For years, scammers have exploited such schemes by renting virtual foreign numbers through cloud-based PBXs, often for short-term use.
European numbers are among the most frequently misused. Criminals also exploit numbers from countries with dialing codes similar to Russian ones, such as +84 95, making it easier to trick users. Calls are made via internet telephony (IP telephony), bypassing mobile operators and reducing the chances of blocking.
Restrictions Will Be Lifted Gradually
The restrictions are temporary and not discriminatory toward foreign users. A safe mechanism for registering foreign SIM cards is part of the roadmap. However, Nemkin stressed that such functionality must be implemented with all security safeguards in place.
Gradual onboarding of new users is standard practice. For example, Russia’s public services platform Gosuslugi initially restricted account creation to domestic numbers to ensure secure identification. Over time, it introduced other verification tools such as digital signatures. Similarly, China’s WeChat first limited registration to domestic users before opening access to foreigners, who were required to provide additional documents.
MAX on the International Stage
MAX will follow a similar trajectory. Its developers understand that opening access to users with foreign numbers would significantly expand the platform’s global reach. But national security remains the top priority, so the expansion will proceed with caution.
It is important to note that MAX is still a new product. Before being rolled out internationally, it must undergo comprehensive testing to uncover vulnerabilities. Its central mission is protecting Russian users, and hasty, poorly planned decisions could undermine that mission.
