Overview

• The State Duma passed a law on June 10 to create a government-run messaging platform for domestic use.
• Officials say the service will enable secure virtual communication between citizens and municipal and federal authorities.
• The app is designed to integrate features such as electronic signatures, age verification and hotel check-ins without paper documents.
• The law grants the government sole authority to select the developer, with media reports speculating that VK could win the contract.
• The move extends Russia’s broader push to tighten online censorship and disconnect its network from the global web.