The Kremlin-controlled technology company VK is developing a new application to potentially replace WhatsApp ahead of a potential block of the American messenger. 

That’s according to the independent Russian outlet Verstka, citing sources from VK, which told the online publication that Russian authorities might block WhatsApp this autumn. 

The new Russian messenger will be based on TamTam, a platform that was created in 2017 but has failed to garner any popularity. VK believes TamTam can be improved to compete effectively with WhatsApp. However, according to Verstka’s sources, internal discussions within VK indicate that workers believe significant technical improvements taking up to a year are necessary before they can meet the standards of WhatApp.

The threat of banning WhatApp follows a potential blocking of YouTube. Since July, Russian authorities have deliberately slowed down YouTube. They claim this is due to neglected servers left behind by Google when it left Russia after the Ukraine invasion. However, evidence suggests that the slowdown is actually being caused by the federal agency Roskomnadzor. Independent Russian media sources have revealed that the government has reduced YouTube data transfer speeds to 128 kilobits per second on home internet, enabling only audio playback and very low-resolution video streaming. By August 8, Russians around the country reported that YouTube's functionality on laptops and personal computers was significantly impaired. The authorities have also requested information from telecom operators regarding Google's servers in Russia, which could enable a complete block of YouTube within the country.

The decision to replace WhatsApp with a VK-run messenger app is analogous to VK’s efforts to promote VK Video as a domestic alternative to YouTube. Verstka sources close to the Russian presidential administration revealed that VK was forewarned of the impending block, prompting the company to install new servers and bolster the platform with content, including music videos and interviews. 

On August 9, Russian outlet Important Stories reported that Russian users of the Signal messenger app had reported service disruptions, indicating that the service may have started to be blocked in Russia.