Freedom of expression in Russia: Russia wants to publish its own messenger

The Russian Parliament, the State Duma, has adopted a law to create its own messenger in view of the continuing tensions with the West. The software “grants the possibility of secure virtual communication between the citizens, as well as state and urban authorities,” says the explanation written by Duma. Various government services are also to be integrated into the chat program.

“With the help of this app you can confirm your age at the cash register of the supermarket and even check into the hotel without having to show documents on paper,” said the head of the Committee on Information Policy in Duma, Sergej Bojarski. The electronic signature as well as an ID function and other state documents should be able to be built into the program. In addition, the integration of online training offers is planned.

Those who develop the software determine the government according to the law. In the media it is speculated that this state messenger is made available by the social network VK. The Russian Facebook clone, which was once created by Telegram founder Pawel Durow, is now under the control of state-related corporations.

Russia controls internet sharply

The Russian authorities have tightened control and censorship on the Internet since the beginning of Wladimir Putin, who was ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. Western and independent providers of content, for example, were covered and closed with complaints because of alleged “defamation of the Russian armed forces” or how YouTube slowed down. In this context, Russian officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about the use of messengers such as WhatsApp, Facebook or signal.