Russia Plans State-Backed Messaging App Integrated With Government Services
Russian lawmakers have voted in favour of developing a national messaging app deeply connected to government services. The move aims to reduce Russia’s reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, advancing the country’s goal of achieving “digital sovereignty.”
Russian Messaging App to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Technology
Following the departure of several Western tech companies from Russia after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has intensified its efforts to promote home-grown digital alternatives. The proposed messaging app forms a key part of this broader push.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the Russian parliament’s information policy committee and a co-author of the draft legislation, highlighted the app’s unique features. According to him, it will offer messaging, voice calls, and enhanced services that existing platforms do not provide.
“The main competitive advantage of the platform will be the deep integration with government services,” Gorelkin wrote in a post on Telegram.
The legislation must still pass through Russia’s upper house of parliament and receive President Vladimir Putin’s signature before becoming law.
VK and Government Digital Strategy
Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev recently discussed the initiative with President Putin, emphasising the need for a national messaging platform integrated with state services. He pointed out that Russia lags behind other countries in this area.
Shadayev praised VK, the state-controlled tech firm that owns the popular VKontakte social network. VKontakte reportedly reaches around 80 million daily users. VK has also developed services such as VK Video, a local alternative to YouTube.
Despite these efforts, VK recorded a massive loss of 94.9 billion roubles (approximately $1.21 billion) in 2024. The company has heavily invested in content creation and technical development to retain and expand its user base.
Shift in Digital Landscape
Russia’s digital environment has seen a major shift over the past year. YouTube’s daily user base in Russia has dropped from over 40 million to fewer than 10 million. Slower download speeds have made the platform harder to use for many.
Russian authorities accuse Google of neglecting investment in Russian infrastructure and criticise its refusal to restore access to blocked Russian channels. Google, however, has denied causing any technical slowdowns on YouTube.
Concerns Over Digital Freedom
Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, voiced concerns about the new initiative. In a Telegram post, he suggested that Russia may intentionally slow the performance of WhatsApp and Telegram to boost usage of the state-backed app. He warned that such measures could infringe on personal freedoms and digital privacy.
The development signals another step in Russia’s broader strategy to control its digital space while pushing back against foreign technology influence.
with inputs from Reuters
