US EditionRussia's State Duma Passes Bill to Create State Messaging App as It Considers Blocking WhatsApp
- On June 10, 2025, Russia's State Duma approved a law requiring the development of a government-authorized messaging application intended for official communications and public use.
- The legislation responds to Moscow's drive to replace foreign apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, which remain popular but face state restrictions.
- The new service will integrate messaging with government and commercial services, including document certification and user identification via a fully Russian infrastructure.
- Officials claim it will offer "better functionality and security" and aim to be "on par" with foreign alternatives while requiring all government entities to adopt it.
- This measure aligns with Russia's wider strategy to reduce dependence on foreign digital ecosystems and could increase state oversight of communications and data.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Instead of WhatsApp, Signal & Co.: The Russian parliament, the State Duma, has passed a law to create its own messenger in the face of the ongoing tensions with the West. The software "allows the possibility of secure virtual communication between citizens, as well as state and urban authorities," says the Duma's declaration. To this end, various state services are to be integrated into the chat program. "With the help of this app, you can confi…
In order to facilitate communication with the Russian authorities, the Duma is planning its own chat platform under the control of the government. The Messenger is also planning "educational offers", which is intended to marginalize global online services such as Facebook, Whatsapp or Signal.
Russia's State Duma passes bill to create state messaging app as it considers blocking WhatsApp
The State Duma, the lower chamber of Russia's parliament, passed a bill on June 10 to create a new messaging app, the so-called "national messenger," the Duma's press service reported, as the Kremlin tries to reduce its dependency on WhatsApp and TelegramThe new app "combines the features of a messenger and the functions of government services," a statement read.The news comes as Russia tries to reduce citizens' access to foreign messengers and …
The authorities in Russia continue to work to detach the Russian network from the World Wide Web, with the aim of creating their own chat service under state supervision.
The State Duma has approved the law on pre-installation of the domestic messenger Max on all devices sold in Russia. Law No. 679980-8, adopted on June 10, will come into force on September 1, 2025. This decision is aimed at providing citizens with a safe and effective alternative to foreign messengers such as Telegram and WhatsApp*, whose activities are of concern to the authorities. How... The post The State Duma has approved: from September 1,…
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