Putin authorises creation of state messaging app to combat WhatsApp and Telegram
Russia has long sought to establish what it calls digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. Its push to replace foreign tech platforms became more urgent as some Western companies pulled out of the Russian market following Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russian lawmakers say the state app will have functionality that the likes of Telegram and Meta Platforms' WhatsApp do not. Critics say the fact that Russia will exercise state control over it poses risks to privacy and personal freedoms.
Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, a Russian digital rights group, said earlier this month he expected Russia to slow the speeds of WhatsApp and Telegram to encourage people to switch over to the new app.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
Russia becomes first to recognise Taliban govt of Afghanistan
Russia said that it had accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan, making it the first nation to recognise the Taliban government of the country. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow saw good prospects to develop ties and would continue to support Kabul in security, counter-terrorism and combating drug crime. It also saw significant trade and economic opportunities, especially in energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure. "We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields," the ministry said. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a statement: "We value this courageous step taken by Russia, and, God willing, it will serve as an example for others as well." No other country has formally recognised the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. However, China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have all designated ambassadors to Kabul, in a step towards recognition. The Russian move represents a major milestone for the Taliban administration as it seeks to ease its international isolation.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists: PM Modi at BRICS
Victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be weighed on the same scale and there should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the BRICS Summit on Sunday (July 6, 2025). In an address at a session on peace and security, Mr. Modi said the "cowardly" Pahalgam terror attack was a direct strike on the "soul, identity and dignity" of India as he called for united efforts to combat the challenge of terrorism. "Terrorism has become the most serious challenge for humanity today," he said. The top leaders of BRICS held deliberations on a range of pressing challenges facing the globe on the first day of the grouping's two-day annual summit in this seaside Brazilian city. "This attack was a blow not only on India but on the entire humanity," Mr. Modi said about the Pahalgam attack, adding "condemning terrorism should be our 'principle', not just a 'convenience'". "If we first see in which country the attack took place, against whom, then it would be a betrayal against humanity. There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists," he said. Call for imposing sanctions on terrorists Mr. Modi's call for imposing sanctions on terrorists without hesitation comes against the backdrop of China blocking efforts at the U.N. Security Council in recent years to list several Pakistan-based terrorists. The Prime Minister also asserted that the victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be "weighed on the same scale'. "For personal or political gain, giving silent consent to terrorism, supporting terror or terrorists, should not be acceptable under any circumstances," he said. "There should be no difference between words and actions regarding terrorism. If we cannot do this, then the question naturally arises whether we are serious about the fight against terrorism or not," he asked. The Prime Minister expressed his "heartfelt gratitude" to the friendly countries who stood with India and supported it following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin skipped the summit, hosted by Brazil in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping. The BRICS has emerged as an influential grouping as it brings together 11 major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5% of the global population, around 40% of the global GDP and around 26% of the global trade. Mr. Modi said global peace and security is not just an ideal, but it is the "foundation of our common interests and future". "Development of humanity is possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. BRICS has a very important role in fulfilling this objective," he said. "To face our common challenges, we have to unite and make collective efforts. We have to move forward together," he added. In his remarks, Mr. Modi also expressed serious concerns over the situation in Gaza. PM Modi's comment on Gaza "From West Asia to Europe, today the world is surrounded by disputes and tensions. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is a cause of great concern," he said. The Prime Minister added that "India firmly believes that no matter how difficult the circumstances are, the path of peace is the only option for the welfare of humanity." "India is the land of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. There is no place for war and violence for us," he added. The Prime Minister said "India supports every effort that takes the world away from division and conflict and leads it towards dialogue, cooperation and coordination and increases solidarity and trust". "In this direction, we are committed to cooperation and partnership with all friendly countries," he said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Chinese village that is at the central of the US-China AI war
China has a new and emerging rival to America's Silicon Valley -- and it is Liangzhu, a quiet suburb on the outskirts of Hangzhou. The city is one of China's fastest-growing centers of artificial intelligence development. Describing a scene on a Saturday afternoon in the city, a report in New York Times said, "...dozens of people sat in the grass around a backyard stage where aspiring founders of tech startups talked about their ideas." A former Facebook and Alibaba employee who hosted the event, Felix Tao told NYT, 'People come here to explore their own possibilities.' According to The New York Times report, virtually every conversation at startup and corporate gatherings in this city circles back to artificial intelligence — the technology at the heart of China's push to compete with the United States in the global tech arena and the one China and America are fighting for supremacy. Hangzhou is home to Alibaba, DeepSeek and many other AI giants Hangzhou has long been a magnet for talent and innovation, home to Chinese tech giants like Alibaba, NetEase, and surveillance technology company Hikvision. More recently, the city has given rise to DeepSeek, a fast-growing AI firm that captured international attention in January after unveiling a powerful open-source model it said cost a fraction of its Western equivalents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo DeepSeek is one of what Chinese media now call the 'six tigers of Hangzhou' — a group of AI and robotics startups making headlines at home and abroad. Game Science, another member of the cohort, produced Black Myth: Wukong, the first Chinese-made video game to achieve global blockbuster status. Robotics firm Unitree made a splash in January when its robot dogs performed a choreographed dance during the state broadcaster's Spring Festival Gala. The AI surge in Hangzhou reportedly did not happen by accident. Over the past decade, provincial and local authorities have rolled out tax breaks and subsidies to attract tech startups, a strategy that has helped seed hundreds of companies. On weekends, investors and entrepreneurs fly in from Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to scout talent — and often end up in Tao's backyard. Many of Liangzhu's coders are alumni of Zhejiang University, one of China's top engineering schools and the alma mater of DeepSeek's founder. Their technical skills are in such high demand that Chinese media recently covered the defection of a core DeepSeek engineer to electronics giant Xiaomi as front-page news. Still, many engineers say they are biding their time, waiting for noncompete agreements with firms like ByteDance to expire before launching startups of their own. Biggest challenge of Chinese companies -- tough to attract foreign capital Yet Hangzhou's rise as a tech powerhouse has not come without complications. Several founders told The New York Times that the same government support that fueled their early growth now makes it harder to attract foreign capital. International investors are increasingly wary of Chinese tech firms, especially those with ties to the state. Some fear their companies could meet the same fate as ByteDance, the parent of TikTok, whose executives have faced tough scrutiny in the United States over national security concerns. The dilemma has left founders with limited options. 'You either take government funding and stay focused on China, or raise enough on your own to open an office in Singapore or elsewhere,' one founder said, requesting anonymity to speak candidly. 'Most people can't afford the second route.' Adding to the uncertainty is the question of access to the chips that power advanced AI models. The U.S. government has imposed increasingly strict export controls on high-performance semiconductors, making it difficult for Chinese firms to buy processors from companies like Nvidia. In response, Chinese tech giants — including Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation — are racing to build domestic alternatives. While Chinese-made chips have enabled some companies, such as ByteDance, to offer limited AI services locally, industry experts say it remains unclear whether those supplies can keep up with demand — or how long it will take for China to achieve true chip independence. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
