Rolling Out a Memorized Dialogue: Russia's New Government-controlled Messenger
Russia creates homegrown instant messaging service
In a bid to streamline Russian citizens' interaction with government authorities, the Duma is planning to launch its very own chat platform, replete with "educational content." This move is aimed at nudging global online services, like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Signal, to the curb.
The Duma's long-anticipated app—which promises to give the supermarket a digital peek at your age and manage hotel bookings without the need for physical documents—is expected to feature an electronic signature function, ID, and other state documents, according to Sergey Boyarsky, head of the Duma's information policy committee. On top of these practical uses, educational content is slated for integration, creating a one-stop-shop for official communication and service access.
Russian Internet Domination on the Rise
As tensions with the West persist, the government will broker the development of this software, with rumors pointing towards VK, once founded by Telegram's Pavel Durov but now under the wings of state-affiliated companies, as the likely candidate.
Since the invasion of Ukraine and with President Putin at the helm, the Russian government has tightened its grip on the internet, suing, blocking, and slowing down Western and independent content providers like YouTube. Officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about the use of messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Signal. In light of this, media laws have been tightened, leading to the expulsion of opposition media with bans and hefty fines.
The State within Reach: An Overview
The government-controlled messenger serves as an extension of Russia's citizen databases, enabling secure digital communication between citizens and authorized entities while incorporating educational services and institutional chats. This comprehensive platform aims to provide easy access to official communication and services with user consent for identification, contract signing, and payments.
The Endgame: A Digital Empire Comes Together
Russia's venture into creating a state-backed messaging app aligns with its ambition to minimize reliance on foreign online services, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Signal. By championing a homegrown platform, they strive to fortify Russia's digital sovereignty and national security, limiting the use of such foreign services in official realms. This next step follows in the footsteps of blocking Facebook and Instagram in 2022 and Viber and Signal in 2024.
The Global Impact: Virtual Borders and Beyond
Should these services be blocked or restricted in Russia, they might face a shrinking user base and a potential loss of access to the Russian market. Additionally, the blossoming of a state-controlled alternative may inculcate increased scrutiny and regulation of foreign digital services universally. As countries prioritize digital sovereignty, the world may follow Russia's lead, ushering in a new era of virtual borders and digital control.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
Tags: Russia, Apps, Mobile Internet, Internet Companies, Kremlin
- The European Union could view Russia's move towards a government-controlled messenger as a threat to the global dominance of tech giants like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Signal, potentially leading to a discussion about digital sovereignty and security within EU politics.
- As Russia strengthens its digital independence by developing a state-controlled messenger, this shift in technology could be seen as a key point in the general news narrative, signaling a new chapter in international politics, where countries might start emulating Russia's approach to assert digital sovereignty, thereby creating a trend of digital borders and control on a global scale.
