In a sweeping move to centralize its digital infrastructure, Russia has taken a decisive step toward requiring all smartphones and devices sold in the country to come pre-loaded with a new state-developed application that merges digital identification, messaging, and access to government services.

A New Era of Digital Governance

The bill, approved by the State Duma on Tuesday, creates a multifunctional data exchange service designed to streamline interactions between citizens and the state. The app will serve as a digital wallet for official documents, allowing users to:

• Store and present passport details as legally valid identification, eliminating the need for physical copies in many scenarios.
• Sign contracts and government forms using state-approved electronic signatures.
• Access educational records, enabling parents to track their children's academic progress through linked federal systems.
• Communicate via a built-in messenger, potentially positioning it as a state-controlled alternative to platforms like Telegram, which has faced repeated clashes with Russian authorities.

The legislation stipulates that beginning September 1, 2025, the app must come pre-installed on all smartphones, tablets, and other devices sold in Russia. It also introduces stricter data privacy measures, requiring explicit, separate consent for personal data processing, a provision likely aimed at preempting criticism over surveillance concerns.

"Starting September 1, 2025, the multifunctional data exchange service app must be pre-installed on smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices," the bill states. "Consent to the processing of personal data must be obtained separately from other documents."

Digital Sovereignty and the Kremlin's Tech Agenda

Critics argue that the move reflects Russia's accelerating drive for digital sovereignty, a policy prioritizing homegrown technology over foreign platforms.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has proactively pursued tech self-reliance, banning Western social media apps and promoting domestic alternatives.

This app, critics say, represents the next phase: a state-run digital ecosystem that could diminish reliance on companies like Apple and Google, which have scaled back operations in Russia.

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Observers have compared the initiative to China's WeChat, a multipurpose app used for payments, IDs, and messaging, and India's Aadhaar, which ties biometric data to public services. But Russia's mandatory pre-installation sets it apart, ensuring near-universal adoption.

The bill now advances to the Federation Council, Russia's upper house, before reaching President Vladimir Putin for final approval.