Security News > 2023 > March > Russia bans foreign messaging apps in government organizations
Russia's internet watchdog agency Roskomnadzor warns that laws banning the use of many foreign private messaging applications in Russian government and state agencies came into force today.
"The law establishes a ban for a number of Russian organizations on the use of foreign messengers used for exchanging messages exclusively between their users, in which the sender determines the recipients of messages and does not provide for placement by Internet users publicly available information on the Internet)," warns Roskomnadzor in a translated alert published today on its portal.
Snapchat - American instant messaging app and ephemeral data exchange platform.
The current ban does not appear to be an effort to curb the influx of foreign information that could shape the opinion of the local population, but rather a precaution to prevent leaks of sensitive information to foreign entities.
Russia is very cautious and actively limiting the deployment of foreign software in critical sectors to minimize the chances of sensitive information reaching foreign intelligence.
In September 2022, Russia introduced "Domestic software" incentives that promote using Russian Linux-based operating systems like Astra Linux, ALT OS, and Red OS in government and public service organizations.