Russia has forced tens of millions of citizens to install Max, a super-app developed by VKontakte that combines messaging, payments, and government services. Forensic research reveals Max contains powerful surveillance capabilities including screenshotting, message access, and code injection, functioning as a backdoor into users' devices and mini-apps. The app represents an escalation of digital authoritarianism and a model other authoritarian governments may replicate.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new in-chat search button for iOS users that appears at the top of the screen when scrolling up through conversations, streamlining the search process by eliminating the need to access chat info. The feature works across individual chats, group chats, and channels, allowing users to search for messages without leaving the conversation.
WoseApp is a social network where posts are public but all replies are private conversations between two people only. The platform eliminates comment sections, algorithmic ranking, advertising, and engagement mechanics to foster genuine discussion without performative behavior or pile-ons.
Salt is an end-to-end encrypted chat application that integrates cryptocurrency payments directly into conversations, supporting Ethereum, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and other blockchain networks alongside messaging with people and AI agents.
A couples app lets partners share moods and status updates via a home screen widget without requiring calls or chats, featuring customizable statuses and hand-drawn scenes that reflect each partner's preferences.
WhatsApp is developing support for up to three accounts on iPhone, expanding beyond the two-account feature rolled out last June. Each account will maintain separate chat history, notifications, and settings, with the feature still in development and not yet available to beta testers.