Mid October 2025, I noticed an intriguing SCMP article: China’s military mouthpiece calls for ‘deep integration’ to beat joint operation weakness. In my view, the opposite is true: deep integration will increase vulnerability.
Moreover, Russia will require its Max messenger app pre-installed on all smartphones sold in Russia (eg, CNN), similar to the mandatory Chinese WeChat multipurpose app.
Interestingly, Elon Musk has similar views: an everything-app. BBC-2023: Why does Elon Musk want X to emulate China’s everything-app? An everything-app “combines chat, dating, payments and social media”.
For authoritarian states, like China and Russia, an everything-app will help to control its citizens. For technology companies, an everything-app (a.k.a. super-app) will retain its (potential) business customers.
“A super-app, also known as an everything-app, is a mobile or web application that can provide multiple services including payment and instant messaging services, effectively becoming an all-encompassing self-contained commerce and communication online platform that embraces many aspects of personal and commercial life. Notable examples of super-apps include Tencent‘s WeChat in China, Tata Neu in India, and Grab in Southeast Asia.”
Source: Wikipedia
The solution is quite simple but not (always) pleasant: using dumb-phones instead of smartphones. Some CEOs of technology companies even opt for no phones at all (eg, Guardian-2016).
I restrict my tech vulnerability by not integrating some suppliers (eg, cable, heating, internet). Once you have one (1) supplier, your vulnerability is at its maximum. I prefer “dumb” machines rather than the Internet of Things.
I’m the exception though because many – if not most – people prefer efficiency and price over criteria like quality and reliability. I’m willing to pay a higher price to secure latter two criteria. Hence, no cheap Chinese smartphone for me.
The mere fact that authoritarian governments and entrepreneurs believe in everything-apps is an important warning to me. Efficiency will erode quality. Government control will erode privacy.
Perhaps, our vulnerability is a strength for others.
Vulnerable (1994) by Roxette
band, lyrics, video, Wiki-band, Wiki-album, Wiki-song
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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