Even the AI assistant inside Russia’s state-backed Max messenger tells users not to trust the app

Russia's state-backed Max messenger has a problem on its hands. According to Meduza, the app's own AI assistant, Alisa, has been warning users to switch to other platforms — Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp. Developed by Yandex, Alisa doesn't hold back about Max's security. The app lacks end-to-end encryption, routes user data to servers owned by VK, and collects IP addresses, activity times, contacts, device information, and provider data. Worse, it warns, that metadata may be shared with government agencies upon request. Alisa's advice to users: either use Max on a separate device, or stick with the browser version and deny the app permanent access to location, contacts, microphone, and camera.

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