If you use whatsapp or Telegram and travel internationally, then this big news from russia can be important for you. russia is now preparing to ban these foreign messaging apps and in return is going to launch a new government app named Vlad's App. This app is named after President Vladimir Putin and its purpose is to create a strong communication system with 'digital sovereignty' within the country. It has been approved by the Russian parliament (State Duma) and now the President's approval is pending.
What is Vlad's App?
Vlad's App will not be limited to just chatting. It will be fully connected to the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital services of the country. With this app, users will be able to digitally sign agreements, make online payments, access educational portals and also avail other government services that too (according to the government) with their consent.
wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital Development minister Maksut Shadayev says that launching such a domestic and secure alternative is a national priority for russia today. He believes that other countries have overtaken russia in this direction and now it is necessary to compensate for it.
Why will whatsapp and Telegram be removed?
Russian mp Sergei Boyarsky has said that this step is being taken as an alternative to foreign, insecure apps. This could be the last and decisive step in Russia's wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital self-reliance campaign, which has intensified in the last few years due to increased cyber tensions and sanctions from Western countries. If the government completely blocks these foreign apps, then crores of Russian users will be forced to use Vlad's App. This could make Russia's wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital environment more closed and controlled like China.
Russia's Internet getting isolated from the world
Vlad's App will be only for Russian citizens. international users will not be allowed to use it. This will further isolate Russia's Internet from the global network. While the government is describing this app as safe and consent-based, wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital rights advocates consider it another means of state surveillance and censorship. Critics believe that this will increase the monitoring of private conversations of citizens in russia and limit access to independent ideas..jpg)
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