A channel for pro-Russian speeches
Criticized for the lack of moderation of its content, the messaging system offers one of the rare major channels for pro-Russian speeches which are framed on the other major foreign social networks. Having become a preferred destination since the start of the war, Telegram indicates that it has recorded 2.5 million daily downloads for the past three weeks.
Specialists warn, however, that if Telegram finally gives in, the government could get their hands on part of the exchanges between users because their encryption is not activated by default. “By improving its security and adopting end-to-end encryption”, WhatsApp has “protected its platform from legal risks and possible requests for access to its content”, says Alp Toker, director of the internet monitoring site. NetBlocks. Russian telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor “has been mostly concerned about channels, information and ways to get it out to large numbers of people, which is less effective on WhatsApp”, according to Eva Galpering, cybersecurity director for the EFF foundation (Electronic Frontier Foundation).
Due to its model restricted to messaging, WhatsApp appears relatively protected from the Russian authorities, but this could change if it were massively used by protesters and opponents. “As social networks disappear, the dynamic could change and messengers become the next target,” warns Alp Toker.
YouTube next?
WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps in Russia, with 67 million users at the end of 2021, according to Insider Intelligence, more than Telegram (28) or even VK (63), the reference Russian social network. Before messaging, could come the turn of YouTube, which was accused Friday, March 18 by Roskomnadzor of being “anti-Russian”. “They find it difficult to control YouTube in terms of censorship,” according to Sergei Sanovich. “The online video service’s recent decisions to suspend channels linked to media close to the government have diminished its value as a propaganda tool. »
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