Cloudflare reverses spyware label for Russia's Max messenger after review

Cloudflare has reversed its decision to label Russia’s Max messenger as spyware. The change came just one day after the tag was applied, following a review of the platform’s security measures. The company has since confirmed that Max’s user data remains fully protected. On 30 April 2023, Cloudflare Radar marked Max as spyware, raising concerns about its security. The label was removed the next day, with Cloudflare Radar data confirming the update. Max’s press service later explained that the classification stemmed from a misunderstanding of web analytics headers.

Earlier in April, Cloudflare had also flagged Telega, a Russian Telegram client, as spyware. This led to its removal from the App Store. In response, Telega’s developers filed a complaint with Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) against Apple, arguing that the app contained no hidden threats to users.

Max has emphasised its commitment to security, pointing to regular audits and an active bug bounty program. The company maintains that its platform adheres to strict data protection standards. The removal of the spyware label means Max can now operate without the earlier restrictions. Cloudflare’s updated classification aligns with Max’s claims of transparency and security. The incident follows a similar dispute involving Telega, which remains off the App Store pending further review.