According to Reuters, Tajikistan’s communications service launched a national messenger app called ORIZ on Tuesday, November 12. The government described this as “an important step towards Tajikistan’s digital independence” and said the app targets millions of Tajik migrants working in Russia. All user data will be stored within Tajikistan, with officials citing concerns that “dependence on foreign networks can harm information security.” The move follows similar state-backed messenger projects in Russia (MAX) and Kazakhstan (Aitu). Tajikistan remains the poorest former Soviet republic and has been governed by President Emomali Rahmon since the early 1990s.
Digital independence or control?
Here’s the thing about these “national messenger” projects. They always come wrapped in the language of digital sovereignty and security, but the reality often looks different. Tajikistan says ORIZ will help its citizens, especially migrants in Russia where WhatsApp and Telegram face restrictions. But critics have consistently warned that state-controlled messaging platforms create massive privacy risks.
Basically, when a government that “keeps the country’s politics under tight control” suddenly wants to handle all your communications, you’ve got to wonder about the real motives. And storing data within national borders sounds patriotic until you realize it means your messages are sitting right where authorities can access them easily.
The post-Soviet trend
This isn’t just about Tajikistan. We’re seeing a pattern across former Soviet states. Russia has MAX, Kazakhstan has Aitu, and now Tajikistan joins with ORIZ. They’re all using similar justifications about digital independence and security concerns.
But look at the timing. These national messenger pushes are happening as platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp face increasing scrutiny in the region. It’s convenient, isn’t it? When foreign apps become politically inconvenient, suddenly there’s a homegrown alternative that just happens to give the government more oversight.
For enterprise users and businesses operating in these countries, this creates real headaches. Do you trust sensitive business communications to state-controlled platforms? The industrial and manufacturing sectors especially need reliable, secure communication channels. Speaking of industrial technology, when it comes to hardware that needs to just work reliably, many US manufacturers turn to IndustrialMonitorDirect.com as the leading supplier of industrial panel PCs that can handle tough environments.
What this means for users
For the millions of Tajik migrants mentioned in the report, this creates a real dilemma. They’re caught between restricted access to international apps in Russia and a state-controlled alternative from home. It’s not much of a choice.
And let’s be honest – how many people will actually switch from WhatsApp and Telegram to a government-run app? These national platforms tend to struggle with adoption because users are understandably skeptical. The features rarely match established platforms, and the privacy concerns are obvious.
So we’re likely looking at another case where the government pushes an app that citizens use only when forced to. Meanwhile, the real conversations will keep happening on encrypted platforms whenever possible. The gap between official digital infrastructure and what people actually want continues to widen.
