A law prohibiting the use of foreign messaging apps is enforced in Russia

On March 1, 2023, the Federal Agency for Communications, Information Technology and Media Supervision (Roskomnadzor), which is responsible for monitoring the Internet in Russia, issued a bill to ban government agencies from using foreign messaging apps. issued a warning that it was enforced. As a result, most public organizations in Russia will not be able to use American messaging apps such as Discord and Microsoft Teams, as well as the Chinese app WeChat.

Роскомнадзор - Вниманию российских организаций, использующих иностранные сервисы
https://rkn.gov.ru/news/rsoc/news74672.htm

Russia bans foreign messaging apps in government organizations
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/russia-bans-foreign-messaging-apps-in-government-organizations/

In Russia, amendments to the ' Law on Information, Information Technology and Information Protection ' to add Article 10, Paragraphs 8 to 10 came into effect on March 1, 2018. Roskomnadzor has announced that it will be banned from using any information exchange system that

In a cautionary advisory, Roskomnadzor states, 'This law prohibits Russian organizations from using foreign-made messengers (designed or used solely for the exchange of messages between users, where the sender identifies the recipient of the message, and where the user communicates with the Internet. The use of foreign-owned information systems and computer programs that do not have mechanisms for posting information on them is prohibited.'

The following nine services are specifically prohibited.
・Discord
・Microsoft Teams
・Skype for Business
・Snapchat
・Telegram
・Threema
・Viber
・WhatsApp
・WeChat

The announcement was picked up by tech news site BleepingComputer, which named Zoom, one of the world's most widely used video conferencing, instant messaging, and voice calling platforms, as well as encrypted messaging service Signal. It points out that it does not.

From this point of view, BleepingComputer said, ``This ban is not intended to suppress the inflow of foreign information that could affect the opinion formation of the Russian people, but rather to prevent the leakage of confidential information to foreign corporations. It appears to be a measure,” he concluded.

The Russian government, which has hardened its stance on foreign platforms, has taken coercive action against TikTok, Telegram, Zoom, Discord and Pinterest for failing to remove 'misinformation' in August 2022. I have announced that I will teach.

In addition to individual apps, it is also stepping up its intervention in virtual private networks (VPNs). In February, the Russian parliament drafted the creation of a domestic VPN for those who use a VPN while working in Russia. In addition, in September 2022, a system was introduced to recommend the use of Russian OS such as Red OS to government agencies and public service organizations.