Russia Launches National Messenger App with Government Integration | Ukraine news

On June 24, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, formalized the establishment of a “national messenger” through a decree that has been published on the official legal information portal of the Russian Federation. This initiative marks a significant step in the country’s digital landscape, as the Russian government is set to appoint the operator for this new communication platform.

The decree outlines that the service must be built on domestic software, with a target of attracting over 500,000 daily users. This ambitious goal reflects a desire to create a widely adopted tool for communication within the nation.

The “national messenger” is designed to facilitate messaging and voice calls in Russian, as well as in the various languages spoken in the republics of the Russian Federation. Additionally, the platform will support advertising in these languages, broadening its appeal and functionality.

Beyond basic communication, this service aims to enhance user experience by integrating with the Russian digital services portal “Gosuslugi.” This integration will allow citizens to access vital information from their official documents, including passports and student IDs, directly through the app.

Moreover, the “national messenger” will offer features such as electronic document signing and serve as a communication hub for students and educators in schools and colleges, fostering a more connected educational environment.

Reasons for Creating the “National Messenger”

The legislative groundwork for this initiative was laid on June 10, when the State Duma passed a bill advocating for the “national messenger.” Lawmakers emphasized the need for a “multifunctional information exchange service” that would enhance service accessibility and bolster user protection.

Anton Gorelkin, the first deputy head of the IT Committee of the State Duma, previously indicated that the introduction of the “national messenger” would not result in the blocking of Telegram in Russia, provided that the platform’s management adheres to legal requirements. This statement comes in the wake of Telegram’s compliance with requests from Russian authorities, which led to the removal of over 20 channels, including the controversial “VChK-OGPU,” known for its ties to Russian special services.

Restrictions on Access to Social Networks and Messengers in Russia

The backdrop of this development includes a series of restrictions imposed by Russian authorities on various social networks and messaging platforms. In 2021, access to X (formerly Twitter) was limited, and by March 2022, following the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Facebook and Instagram faced a total ban in the country.

Most recently, in August 2024, Roskomnadzor took action to block the Signal messenger, citing violations of Russian legislation aimed at preventing the use of the platform for terrorist and extremist activities. This ongoing trend highlights the complex relationship between digital communication tools and regulatory frameworks in Russia.

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Russia Launches National Messenger App with Government Integration | Ukraine news