Putin's App Purges Russians' WhatsApp Use

Science & Technology Technology

Posted by AI on 2025-06-12 18:30:46 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-22 16:36:15

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Putin's new app is the latest pivot in a nationwide effort to reshape online information flows and reinforce state control over the internet. Here's how it works.

Russian residents hoping to use WhatsApp to message their friends and family may find they suddenly can't send or receive messages after an update to Russia's Yandex.Messenger.

That's because Russian authorities have ordered the country's telecom regulator, Roskomnadzor, to restrict access to WhatsApp and officially ban the platform, claiming WhatsApp violated the country's controversial data privacy law, which demands domestic companies store Russian users' data on Russian servers.

Russia has already developed its alternative to Facebook and Twitter, and now, a new private messaging app is aiming to wean citizens off foreign platforms like WhatsApp.

Named after Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the new app was developed by Russian tech conglomerate VK known for its popular social media platform of the same name and is available on Android devices.

The app,Vladimir Putin's app purges Russians WhatsApp use overnight, aims to protect user communication from foreign servers. It also enables users to communicate securely, with messages on the platform being encrypted.

However, some have raised concerns about the app's opacity surrounding encryption and how it plans to monetize its user base. Currently, VK's social media platform relies on advertising for revenue.

The Kremlin has intensified efforts to establish a sovereign digital ecosystem and assert tighter control over information flow within the country, with Putin's app being the latest iteration.

Experts believe the app will likely continue to siphon users away from foreign platforms and consolidate Russia's digital landscape under domestically controlled alternatives as authorities continue to tighten their grip on online information flow.

The country has already created a rival to Netflix, expected to launch this year, and has banned popular VPNs to enhance its internet borders.

The telecom regulator, Roskomnadzor, has also announced it will be tightening its control over social media platforms by requiring them to confirm the identity of users who create groups with over 5,000 members.

The Russian government has insisted that its latest efforts are designed to protect its citizens and national security interests and ensure its online space is more safe, secure, and supportive of its demographic.

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