Putin Mandates State-Run Chat App to Replace WhatsApp & Telegram—Security Crackdown Escalates

Russia’s digital iron curtain drops harder. President Vladimir Putin just ordered a government-built messaging app to replace WhatsApp and Telegram—citing 'national security' as Kremlin tightens its grip on domestic comms.

The move smacks of classic authoritarian tech theater: a state-monitored platform masquerading as privacy protection. Meanwhile, Russian citizens—already navigating inflation worse than a meme coin’s volatility—get another 'solution' they didn’t ask for.

Expect rollout headaches, forced adoption, and the usual chorus of Silicon Valley shrugs. Bonus irony? This ‘secure’ alternative will likely be as hackable as a hot wallet on a phishing site.

TLDRs:

• Russia is developing a state-mandated messaging app to replace WhatsApp and Telegram in public institutions.
• The app will be pre-installed on new smartphones and modeled after China’s WeChat.
• It aims to centralize messaging, digital IDs, and government services under one platform.
• Privacy advocates fear the app could become a surveillance tool that erodes digital freedoms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially ordered the creation of a state-developed messaging app, signaling a major shift in how digital communication will be handled within the country’s borders.

The decision, formalized through a presidential decree, comes as the Kremlin deepens efforts to assert tighter control over Russia’s digital infrastructure, citing national security threats posed by foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

Kremlin Pushes for Sovereign Communication Tools

The forthcoming app will serve as the official communication channel for public institutions and will be mandatory for government employees. This MOVE reflects growing unease among Russian authorities over the widespread use of foreign messaging services that are not fully under state oversight.

The Ministry of Digital Development has argued that platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, while widely popular, present vulnerabilities due to their foreign ownership and encryption protocols that restrict governmental access.

Early reports suggest the app may mirror China’s WeChat in both design and function. It will not only provide basic messaging features but may also incorporate government services such as digital ID verification, e-signatures, and official notifications. Sources indicate that the app could leverage existing technologies from “Max,” a platform developed by VK, Russia’s leading tech firm and owner of several domestic social media properties. By positioning the app as a multi-functional hub, the government hopes to build a platform that citizens use by default in everyday life.

Mandatory Rollout Reflects Shift from Censorship to Control

In the past, Russian authorities have tried to limit the use of foreign platforms through bans and throttling. The 2018 attempt to block Telegram, for instance, failed to curb usage, largely due to the app’s built-in tools that allowed users to bypass restrictions.

Rather than continuing this cat-and-mouse game, the new strategy seeks to replace the competition altogether. The app will reportedly come pre-installed on all new smartphones sold in Russia, ensuring widespread availability and quick adoption, especially within the public sector.

Privacy Concerns Loom Large

Critics and digital rights advocates have expressed concerns that the app could become a tool for mass surveillance. Russia has a history of deploying technologies that enable extensive user tracking, such as Yandex’s AppMetrica SDK, which has been used to collect device-level data across tens of thousands of apps.

There are fears that this new platform will go beyond simply replacing WhatsApp and Telegram, and instead evolve into a state-controlled gateway to all online activity. With the app tightly integrated into government systems, users may have little choice but to surrender privacy for functionality.

Public demand for secure, encrypted communication has surged in recent years, especially during geopolitical tensions. After Russia invaded Ukraine, downloads of Signal increased by over 280 percent, highlighting a sharp rise in privacy-conscious behavior. As the state moves forward with its homegrown app, it will face the difficult task of convincing users to migrate to a platform perceived to be under surveillance.