Key points
- Russia pushes digital sovereignty amid Western tech firm exits
- New app claimed to offer features beyond WhatsApp, Telegram
- Critics warn of privacy risks under state-controlled messaging platform
ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation approving the creation of a state-backed messaging application that will be integrated with government services, as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
Russia has long aimed to achieve what it terms “digital sovereignty” by promoting domestically developed technologies, according to The Hindu.
This initiative gained urgency after several Western tech firms withdrew from the Russian market following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
State-run app
Lawmakers claim the state-run app will offer features not currently available on services like Telegram or Meta-owned WhatsApp. However, critics warn that state control over the app could threaten privacy and civil liberties.
Mikhail Klimarev, head of the Internet Protection Society, a Russian digital rights organisation, recently said he expects the Russian authorities to intentionally reduce the speed of WhatsApp and Telegram in order to push users towards adopting the new state-developed messaging service.
Researchers recently exposed the largest data breach, leaking 16 billion login credentials, passwords, and sensitive data from major online platforms, reports Hindustan Times.
The leaked credentials reportedly include login information for social media accounts, VPNs, developer tools, and major online services, including Apple, Google, Facebook, GitHub, Telegram, and even government portals.
