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Russian Parliament Supports New State Messaging App to Rival WhatsApp and Telegram

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Russian lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favor of developing a government-backed messaging app aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The app will be closely integrated with state services, reflecting Moscow’s ongoing push for digital sovereignty.

Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the parliament’s information policy committee and author of the draft legislation, said the new platform will provide messaging, voice calls, and other features beyond those offered by Telegram and Meta’s WhatsApp. “The main competitive advantage of the platform will be the deep integration with government services,” Gorelkin wrote on Telegram.

The legislation still requires approval by the upper house of parliament and the signature of President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev recently proposed integrating government services with a national messaging app during a meeting with Putin, highlighting Russia’s lag behind other countries in this area. State-controlled tech firm VK, operator of the VKontakte social network used by nearly 80 million Russians daily, has been investing heavily in homegrown services like VK Video, a local alternative to YouTube.

VK reported a significant loss of 94.9 billion roubles ($1.21 billion) in 2024 amid efforts to expand content and improve technology.

Meanwhile, YouTube’s daily audience in Russia plunged from over 40 million users in mid-2024 to fewer than 10 million recently, partly due to slower download speeds. Russian officials blamed Google for neglecting investment in local infrastructure and not restoring blocked Russian channels. Google denied causing any technical issues.

Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Russian Internet Protection Society, warned on Telegram that the government might deliberately slow WhatsApp and Telegram to boost the new app’s adoption, raising concerns about potential infringements on personal freedoms.

Russian Court Fines Google $78 Million for Ignoring Previous Penalties

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A Moscow court fined Alphabet’s Google 8 billion roubles ($77.9 million) on Tuesday for failing to comply with earlier penalty orders, as announced by the Moscow courts press service via Telegram. This fine is significantly higher than the typical fines of around 4 million roubles that are usually issued for such violations.

For years, Russia has pressured foreign technology companies to remove content it considers illegal, imposing incremental penalties for non-compliance. The Chertanovo District Court in Moscow stated that the latest fine was related to Google’s failure to comply with an administrative punishment, though it did not disclose specifics about the violation.

YouTube, owned by Google, has been a frequent target of criticism from Russian authorities. Once drawing approximately 50 million daily users in Russia, YouTube’s audience has reportedly dropped to around 12 million. Russian officials have accused Google of failing to upgrade equipment, allegedly leading to disruptions in YouTube’s download speeds. Critics argue that these disruptions are intentional efforts to hinder access to content critical of President Vladimir Putin’s government—an allegation Russia denies.

In December, President Putin accused Google of acting as a tool of the U.S. government for political gain. Google has not yet commented on the latest ruling.

Russia Reports Use of Bitcoin in Foreign Trade, Confirms Finance Minister

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Russia Begins Using Bitcoin for Foreign Trade Amid Western Sanctions, Says Finance Minister

Russia has officially started using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for international transactions, as companies in the country adapt to new legislative changes aimed at countering the impact of Western sanctions. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov confirmed on Wednesday that this move is part of Russia’s broader strategy to bypass traditional banking systems, which have been heavily scrutinized by Western regulators due to sanctions.

The sanctions have made it increasingly difficult for Russia to maintain trade relations with major partners like China and Turkey, with local banks showing reluctance to engage in Russia-related transactions. To mitigate this challenge, Russia has turned to digital currencies as an alternative means of conducting foreign trade, providing a way to circumvent the restrictions placed on its financial system.

In response to the growing use of cryptocurrencies, Russia has also taken significant steps to regulate their usage, including legalizing cryptocurrency mining activities. This move aligns with Russia’s ambitions to become a global leader in Bitcoin mining, which has already seen significant investment in infrastructure. The country is capitalizing on its abundant energy resources to support mining operations, positioning itself as a key player in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

By embracing digital currencies for foreign trade and strengthening its position in the global Bitcoin mining market, Russia is seeking to reduce its reliance on traditional financial institutions. This shift not only helps mitigate the impact of sanctions but also opens new opportunities for the country to engage in global trade, despite increasing international pressure.