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6.995, 2024 7.75
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TOWARD AN UZBEK SOCIAL MESSAGING APP: LESSONS FROM THE
EVOLUTION OF GLOBAL SOCIAL NETWORKS
Atabaev Odiljon Khusniddin ugli
Department of Information technologies
Andijan State Technical Institute
+998916114818
Abstract:
Social networks have evolved from simple digital forums into complex ecosystems
that mediate global communication, culture, and commerce. This paper presents a chronological
and technological review of key milestones in social networking - from ARPANET and Usenet
to modern platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat, and TikTok. Particular focus is given
to messaging-centric applications such as Telegram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp, which have
transformed personal and group communication through privacy features, end-to-end encryption,
multimedia integration, and AI-driven content filtering. The study's core objective is to extract
relevant insights for the conceptual and technical design of a new Uzbek social messaging app.
By analyzing international platforms, their design strategies, growth factors, and cultural
adaptations, we aim to propose a model suited to the linguistic, cultural, and technological
environment of Uzbekistan.
Keywords:
Social network, messaging app, Uzbekistan, Telegram, WhatsApp, WeChat,
Snapchat, digital communication, mobile platforms, AI, cultural localization, app development.
Introduction
Social networking platforms have revolutionized digital communication and reshaped societal
behavior on a global scale. As of January 2025, there are 5.35 billion internet users worldwide,
of which 5.04 billion actively use social media platforms. This equates to over 62.3% of the
global population participating in online social interaction, with messaging apps among the most
widely used services [1].
In Uzbekistan, digital connectivity has grown rapidly in the past decade. According to the
Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, mobile internet penetration reached over 81% in
2024, with smartphone usage continuing to rise, particularly among youth and urban populations
[2]. Among messaging platforms, Telegram dominates the local market, used by an estimated
70-75% of internet users. Its integration into education, e-governance, and commerce has made it
the de facto communication tool across sectors [3].
WhatsApp, while still widely used, especially for voice/video calls and family communication, is
gradually being replaced by Telegram among younger users. Apps like WeChat, Snapchat, and
Signal have minor presence in Uzbekistan due to linguistic and infrastructural mismatches.
Despite these trends, there is no widely adopted Uzbek-created social messaging platform that
fully supports the Uzbek language, local digital economy, or regulatory compliance. Foreign
platforms often lack:
o
full Uzbek UI/UX localization;
o
data hosting within Uzbekistan (for sovereignty and security);
o
integration with Uzbek banking or payment systems;
o
moderation aligned with local cultural norms and legal frameworks.
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The global surge in privacy concerns (especially after incidents like the Facebook–Cambridge
Analytica scandal) and the geopolitical pressure on platforms like TikTok and WeChat has
intensified the need for national digital platforms.
This research aims to:
o
Trace the historical and technical evolution of messaging and social networking apps;
o
Compare the architectures and strategies of Telegram, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Snapchat;
o
Extract insights to guide the design and development of a localized, privacy-respecting,
Uzbek social messaging application;
o
outline potential features, requirements, and societal benefits such a platform could offer.
We believe that combining historical insight with current technological trends will allow for the
creation of a secure, user-centric, and culturally attuned platform tailored to Uzbekistan’s
growing digital needs.
Methods
This research is structured as a qualitative, exploratory study that combines historical analysis,
comparative platform review, and local context evaluation to inform the potential development
of a national Uzbek social messaging app. Our goal is to understand how leading global
platforms evolved, what features contribute to their success, and what gaps exist that a localized
solution could fill.
We did not conduct user surveys or experiments, but instead relied on existing secondary data
and documented technological, cultural, and policy-related developments.
To ensure accuracy and relevance, we gathered data from a diverse range of sources:
Global social media usage reports, including Digital 2025: Global Overview by DataReportal [1].
Regional analytics from StatCounter and SimilarWeb on messaging app usage in Uzbekistan and
Central Asia [3].
Official reports and publications from the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan on
digital infrastructure and mobile internet penetration [2].
Platform-specific whitepapers, technical blogs, and feature documentation from Telegram,
WhatsApp, WeChat, and Snapchat.
Academic and policy literature on data privacy, platform regulation, and digital sovereignty.
Media coverage and case studies, especially surrounding platform misuse or innovative features.
Four leading platforms were selected for in-depth analysis:
Telegram: most widely used messaging app in Uzbekistan, with a strong emphasis on speed,
security, and openness. WhatsApp: globally dominant, especially for person-to-person encrypted
messaging. WeChat: an example of a multifunctional “super app” with messaging, payments, e-
commerce, and government services integration. Snapchat: known for its ephemeral messaging
model, youth-focused design, and AR-based content. These platforms were chosen based on
their user base size, technical architecture, and relevance to key innovation models that could
inspire a localized app.
In table 1 multidimensional comparison allowed us to identify which design patterns are best
suited for replication or adaptation in an Uzbek context.
Table 1.
Evaluation criterion of platforms
Evaluation Aspect
Description
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User Interface & Language
Localization
quality,
script
support
(e.g.,
Cyrillic/Latin), accessibility.
Privacy & Data Security
Encryption type (e.g., E2EE), data storage location,
user control features.
Core Features
Text/media messaging, group chats, channels, bots,
stories/statuses.
Extended Ecosystem
In-app payments, integration with banking/e-
government, mini-apps.
Moderation & Policy
Content moderation, AI moderation tools, response to
misinformation.
Technical Architecture
Centralized vs decentralized models, cross-platform
support, scalability.
Market Penetration
Local popularity, demographics of user base, retention
trends.
We studied Uzbekistan’s digital landscape using recent government statistics and international
reports:
81%+ mobile internet penetration (2024) and increasing smartphone adoption among
youth.
Absence of a fully Uzbek-designed and hosted messaging platform, despite wide
Telegram usage (~70–75% of internet users).
Limited language and cultural customization in current global apps.
Government initiatives supporting local IT innovation and interest in digital sovereignty.
We also reviewed Uzbekistan’s data protection laws, existing e-payment ecosystems, and user
expectations in digital communication, identifying opportunities to design a secure, culturally-
aligned messaging app tailored to local norms.
Results
Telegram dominates in openness, bots, channels; WeChat leads in multifunctionality; Snapchat
specializes in visual/ephemeral communication; WhatsApp wins in E2EE adoption and user base
simplicity, one can observe this in the following table 2.
Table 2.
Comparative Feature Analysis of Leading Messaging Platforms
Feature
Telegram
Snapchat
End-to-End
Encryption
Optional
Default
Partial
Partial
Voice & Video
Calls
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bot Support
Advanced
No
Yes
Limited
Mini-Apps &
Payments
No
No
Yes
No
Ephemeral
Messaging
Optional
Yes
Yes
Core
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Channel/Group
Broadcasts
Yes
No
Yes
Limited
Localization &
UI
100+ langs
60+
Mostly CN
Limited
Data
Storage
Location
Global
Global
China
Global
Discussion
The comparative analysis of global messaging platforms reveals a significant gap in the current
digital ecosystem of Uzbekistan. While services like Telegram, WhatsApp, WeChat, and
Snapchat offer a range of sophisticated communication features, none are designed with the
specific linguistic, cultural, and infrastructural context of Uzbek users in mind. This gap presents
both a challenge and an opportunity: the challenge of competing with global platforms, and the
opportunity to create a homegrown, culturally attuned alternative.
Uzbekistan has seen exponential growth in mobile internet penetration, with over 31 million
internet users as of 2023, and Telegram being the most widely used social app due to its speed,
bot capabilities, and broadcast channels (Statista, 2024). However, Telegram’s interface, like
WhatsApp’s and Snapchat’s, lacks robust native support for Uzbek Cyrillic and Latin scripts,
content filtering tailored to local norms, or integration with domestic services (e.g., payment
systems, government services, education).
A localized app can directly address these needs by supporting bilingual interfaces, context-
aware moderation, and customizable group/chat tools suitable for educational institutions, SMEs,
or local influencers.
Each major platform analyzed brings specific strengths:
o
Telegram: Open API, bot platform, public channels, and multi-device sync.
o
WhatsApp: Simplicity, E2EE-by-default, and massive user base.
o
WeChat: Mini-app ecosystem, QR payments, government integration.
o
Snapchat: Visual communication, filters, ephemeral messaging favored by youth.
By synthesizing these strengths while removing unnecessary complexity, a localized app can
optimize usability for the Uzbek demographic.
For instance, WeChat's “super app” model - combining messaging with payment, ride-hailing,
health services, etc. - offers a promising direction if tailored to local services like Click [4],
Payme [5], and Davlat xizmatlari portali [6].
The growing concern over data sovereignty and the localization of servers and services also
aligns with this strategy. Unlike WeChat (China-based) or WhatsApp (Meta-owned), a domestic
messaging app can assure users that their data remains within Uzbekistan, complying with
national regulations.
Conclusion
Through comparative analysis, this study has demonstrated that while existing platforms offer
powerful features, none are tailored to the Uzbek sociocultural context. Telegram’s popularity in
Uzbekistan is a testament to the appetite for fast, lightweight, feature-rich messaging - but its
interface, moderation tools, and localization options remain limited. WhatsApp offers secure and
user-friendly communication, but lacks openness and local integration. WeChat demonstrates
how a messaging app can evolve into a full ecosystem, yet its approach is tightly bound to
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Chinese systems. Snapchat appeals to youth with visual, ephemeral messaging but has limited
relevance beyond entertainment.
References
1.
DataReportal (2025) – Digital 2025: Global Overview Report. Retrieved from:
https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-global-overview
2.
Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan (2024) – Annual Digitalization Report.
Retrieved from: https://digittech.uz/reports
3.
StatCounter Global Stats (2025) – Messaging App Usage in Central Asia. Retrieved from:
4.
5.
6.
