Russian officials are expected to be legally required to use the state messenger Max while performing their official duties and when interacting with citizens. Forbes reports this.
Exceptions will be made only for certain situations related to informing the public about the work of government agencies or handling appeals through state information systems.
The requirement to switch to the state messenger is included in amendments for the second reading of a package of anti-fraud measures. The document passed its first reading on February 10. If the amendment is approved, it will come into force in September of this year.
A Forbes source close to the Ministry of Digital Development believes that officials “simply will not comply with this requirement” because no liability for failing to do so is предусмотрена, “at least for now.”
Earlier, journalists from the Faridaily project said that Russian officials do not want to switch to Max. According to the channel’s sources, representatives of the authorities and state companies are buying separate SIM cards and smartphones to install the messenger, calling it a “source of surveillance.”