1. The Key Player in Russia’s Cybersphere: What the West Needs to Know about VK Company
- Author:
- Philipp Dietrich
- Publication Date:
- 09-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
- Abstract:
- This paper analyzes the rise of VK Company and the creation of its super app to increase state surveillance and the dissemination of propaganda in Russia. The app is on its way to combining social networking and services related to healthcare, education, and e-government under one roof. Western policymakers need to be aware of why and how the Russian state is pushing its citizens to use such domestic services. Only then can they counter the use of data generated by such services in facilitating the state supervision and control of society.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Governance, Social Media, Surveillance, Cyberspace, and VK Company
- Political Geography:
- Russia