Putin signs law for state-controlled messaging app to replace WhatsApp, Telegram in Russia
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed into law a measure for development of a government-backed messaging application which will be designed to integrate with official state services.
Under Russia’s digital strategy, the country is putting efforts to build and mandate home-grown alternatives to widely used apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram following the war in Ukraine in 2022, which had led to the withdrawal or curtailing of services by many Western technology firms.
While supporters of the new platform argue it will offer features beyond those available in current messaging apps, particularly through its integration with state administrative functions, digital rights advocates have voiced concern that government oversight of the app could endanger user privacy and undermine free expression.
Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, a Russian digital rights organisation, warned earlier this month that authorities may deliberately throttle the speed of foreign messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram to compel users to migrate to the new government-run platform.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Nagaland bypoll: Nearly 20 pc voter turnout recorded in Koridang seat in first two hours
Kohima (PTI): Nearly 20 per cent of 22,382 electors exercised their franchise in Nagaland's Koridang Assembly bypoll in the first two hours of polling on Thursday, officials said.
The voting that commenced at 7 am across all 30 polling stations has so far been peaceful, they said.
The polling will continue till 4 pm.
Security has been significantly tightened across the constituency following violence on April 5 and 6, in which one person died, and several vehicles were damaged.
The byelection was necessitated by the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen in November last year.
A total of 22,382 electors, including 11,071 women, are eligible to decide the fate of six candidates in the fray.
The ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) has fielded BJP nominee Daochier I. Imchen, while the Congress candidate is T. Chalukumba Ao. The National People’s Party (NPP) has nominated I. Abenjang, while the Independent candidates are Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang, and Toshikaba.
Of the 30 polling stations, 13 have been categorised as vulnerable and 17 as critical, prompting deployment of additional security personnel and intensified surveillance measures. Two polling stations have been designated as all-women booths.
Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
