Russia brings its own messenger: digitization with state obligations!

Russia brings its own messenger: digitization with state obligations!

The Russian Parliament, the State Duma, has passed a new law that provides for the creation of its own messenger. This messenger should enable citizens to communicate safely with state and urban authorities. It is planned that the app integrates various state services so that users can confirm their age at the supermarket fund or the proof of identity in the hotel check-in digitally. Functions such as electronic signatures and an ID function are also provided. Online training offers are also to be integrated into the app. According to ZVW it is speculated that the development of the messenger is in the hands of VK, the largest social network of Russia, which is under state-close corporations.

The introduction of the messenger is in the context of increased control and censorship of the Internet in Russia, which has been intensified, particularly since the beginning of the Ukraine war. Western platforms and independent providers are severely restricted or completely blocked. This has caused it to become increasingly difficult to obtain independent information. Access to social media such as Facebook and Instagram is not punishable, but the use of these platforms is viewed critically by the government, especially after its classification as an "extremist" in 2022.

Internet censorship and state control

The Duma plans to invest 59 billion rubles (approx. 590 million euros) in the improvement of internet blocks in order to prevent the use of VPN services. These services are used by citizens to avoid censorship and surf anonymously. More and more people in Russia are using these technologies to access blocked information. However, this becomes risky because the authorities may be able to access user data. Despite the government's efforts, the full control of the Internet, as in China, is not possible because Russia does not have the same technical possibilities.

In addition to the new messenger, a new media law is also tightened, which rigorously punishes the spread of "false information" over the Russian armed forces. Up to 15 years in prison are threatened with the spread of such information. Numerous international media, such as BBC and Deutsche Welle, have already been blocked or have discontinued their reporting. In December 2023, Tikkok was also forced to stop livestreams in Russia and only offer messaging services, while the Russian media supervision Wikipedia called on to censulate sensitive information.

The role of VK and other platforms

In the current political landscape of Russia, VK has over 100 million active users as the largest social network. The social network has set itself the goal of blocking content that is considered sensitive. This also includes promoting VK Video as a Russian replacement for YouTube, which in August 2023 recorded a doubling of the number of users compared to July. However, the Russian government has not completely blocked Western video platforms to avoid possible unrest in the population.