instagram: Explained: What is Rossgram and how will it be different from Instagram – Times of India

Russia recently banned the Facebook-owned photo sharing app Instagram. The Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media regulator, implemented the ban on the platform earlier this week following a warning. The ban comes just days after Russia declared Facebook terrorist organisation.
According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, there are almost 80 million Instagram users in Russia and approximately 80% of people in Russia follow an Instagram account outside their country. Since Instagram is reported to be one of the primary platforms for social interaction in the country, Russian tech entrepreneurs are working on a new app to replace Instagram. As per a report by Reuters, Russia’s rival to Instagram will be called ‘Rossgram’. Wonder what ‘Rossgram’ is and how it is different from Instagram.
What is Rossgram
According to the report, Rossgram will be a social media platform that will be launched later this month. The platform will allow users to share images and videos. As per the image shared on the VKontakte social network, the colour scheme and layout of the platform appears quite similar to Instagram. The image of Rossgram was shared by Alexander Zobov, the initiative’s public relations director.
How Rossgram will be different from Instagram
Although the functionality of the Rossgram app will be similar to Instagram, it will have few features that are not available on the Meta’s photo sharing app. These additional features on Rossgram include crowdfunding and paid access to some content.
This is not the first instance where Russia is trying to reduce dependency on Western products. Last year, Russia’s Gazprom Media also launched Yappy social media platform. The app is said to be the domestic rival to TikTok video-sharing platform that is owned by China’s ByteDance.