Putin pushes digital sovereignty with state messaging app
ALBAWABA- In a significant move toward digital independence, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law on Tuesday authorizing the development of a state-backed messaging platform integrated with government services. Also Read U.S. bans WhatsApp on government devices
The initiative is part of Moscow's broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, and to strengthen what it terms "digital sovereignty."
According to Reuters, Russia has been actively promoting local alternatives as part of a broader campaign to assert control over its digital ecosystem.
The urgency of this effort has grown since several Western tech companies left the Russian market following the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
According to state-run outlet RIA Novosti, the upcoming government-supported app is expected to include functionalities beyond those offered by existing platforms.
While officials pitch it as a secure, integrated communication tool, digital rights advocates have raised red flags. Critics argue that increased state control over messaging services could severely undermine user privacy and limit civil freedoms.
Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, warned that authorities may intentionally slow down platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to encourage citizens to adopt the new state-run app.
The development coincides with growing global scrutiny of private messaging platforms. Just one day prior, the U.S. House of Representatives imposed an official ban on WhatsApp across all government-issued devices, citing vulnerabilities in data storage and concerns over user privacy.
The app has been flagged as a high-risk platform due to its lack of end-to-end encryption for stored content, raising alarms over potential data leaks and foreign surveillance.
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