Founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov. File image
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Pavel Durov, the founding father of the Telegram messaging app, stated on Tuesday (February 25, 2026) that the Russian authorities had opened a prison investigation in opposition to him on prices of “aiding terrorism.”
Mr. Durov, who was born and started his profession in Russia, accused Moscow of fabricating pretexts to limit entry by Russians to the Telegram service as a part of an try and “suppress the precise to privateness and free speech.”
“A tragic spectacle of a state afraid of its personal folks,” Mr. Durov wrote on social media.
Russian media shops had begun circulating unconfirmed studies earlier within the day {that a} prison investigation had been opened in opposition to Mr. Durov by Russia’s Federal Safety Service, or FSB.
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It comes two weeks after Russia’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, introduced it could prohibit the Telegram app, accusing the corporate of refusing to adjust to Russian legislation.
The transfer triggered a uncommon wave of public outcry, together with widespread criticism from pro-Kremlin navy bloggers, who warned that Telegram was extensively utilized by Russian troops preventing in Ukraine and proscribing its service would derail navy communications.
Nevertheless, Russian officers have continued to painting Telegram as a safety danger. Digital growth Minister Maksud Shadayev advised Russian information wire Interfax that overseas intelligence businesses could possibly be studying messages despatched by way of Telegram by Russian troopers on the entrance line.
When requested concerning the case, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) that the FSB had gathered data on a “massive variety of violations” by Telegram, in addition to content material that might “probably pose a hazard to our nation.” He stated Telegram had been unwilling to cooperate with the authorities.
“Based mostly on this, the related businesses are taking measures they deem applicable,” Mr. Peskov stated.
Russian authorities have focused YouTube and imposed restrictions on in style messaging platforms, blocking Sign and Viber and banning on-line calls on WhatsApp and Telegram. In December, restrictions had been imposed on Apple’s FaceTime video calling service.
Whereas it’s nonetheless attainable to avoid a few of the restrictions by utilizing digital non-public community companies, a lot of them are routinely blocked too.
On the identical time, Russia actively promotes the “nationwide” messaging app referred to as MAX, which critics say could possibly be used for surveillance. The platform — touted by builders and officers as a one-stop store for messaging, on-line authorities companies, making funds and extra — brazenly declares it’s going to share consumer knowledge with authorities upon request. Consultants additionally say it doesn’t use end-to-end encryption.
Mr. Durov has confronted prison investigations elsewhere. In 2024, he was arrested in Paris over allegations that his platform was getting used for illicit exercise, together with drug trafficking and the distribution of kid sexual abuse photos.
Revealed – February 25, 2026 12:51 am IST