June 17, 2025

iState: A Russian Government Messenger?


iState: A Russian Government Messenger?
iPhone screen.
freestocks.org from Olsztyn, Poland
, Wikimedia Commons.

On June 10, The Russian State Duma approved the creation of a multi-purpose "national messenger" in Russia that will be pre-installed on newly sold smart devices in the country. Novaya Gazeta Evropa spoke to an internet-specialist lawyer to see how Russians' private conversations and information may be compromised by the new messenger.

Starting September 1, all smartphones and tablets will have a pre-downloaded national messaging app combined with a digital ID system. Head of the State Duma IT Committee Sergei Boyarsky said the national app would allow users to receive government services, verify identity, sign contracts, and execute bank transactions. Educational services and chats will also move to the multipurpose government messenger.

Inspired by China's WeChat, which allows its users to text, pay, and even book hotels from the app, Russia's Ministry of Digital Development wants its own national messenger, but not for its convenience. WeChat is known to surveil and censor users. Lawyer Sarkis Darbinyan fears Russia will store messages and data from the users and send them to law enforcement.

The government has not yet determined which app will be chosen for their project. Russia has attempted five times to create a messenger like the Ukrainian-American created WhatsApp. Meta, the current owner of WhatsApp, has been declared “extremist” by the Russian state The likely candidate for the national app is Max, VKontakte's WeChat-like messaging platform.

Darbinyan said Max or any other national messenger is unlikely to fully migrate WhatsApp’s 97.4 million users in Russia to its platform. And the app will likely only be used nationally, limiting its audience and their communications with people abroad. Unlike other messaging platforms that have end-to-end encryption, Darbinyan said it was likely that Max would have cryptography approved by the FSB. This setup will allow special forces to easily decode any message in the platform. “So it will definitely not be a platform for the free exchange of information,” said the lawyer.

Undeterred, Boyarsky said, "Whatsapp and Telegram will continue to function and live out their century, but now on the condition of unconditional compliance with our laws. They will no longer be able to ignore [the laws], taking advantage that there is no replacement for them." 

You Might Also Like

One for the Books
  • May 11, 2025

One for the Books

2024's Victory Day parade was a bit of a dud. 2025's more than made up for it.
With Prayers and Drones
  • April 28, 2025

With Prayers and Drones

Dozens of Orthodox military-patriotic clubs across Russia prepare children for war.
Finn-ancial Crisis?
  • April 14, 2025

Finn-ancial Crisis?

The Finnish parliament has passed a law forbidding Russians from owning real estate in the country.
Log Your Blog, or Else
  • April 06, 2025

Log Your Blog, or Else

Russian influencers could face consequences if they fail to register with the state.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Okudzhava Bilingual

Okudzhava Bilingual

Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards. 
Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
Survival Russian

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.
Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.
Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955