Pavel Durov Accuses Russia of Restricting Telegram to Push Users Toward State-Made Surveillance App
Telegram founder Pavel Durov drops a bombshell allegation—Russia's latest crackdown isn't about security, it's about surveillance capitalism. The state wants your data, and they're willing to block the world's most popular encrypted messenger to get it.
State-Sponsored Switch
Forget market competition. This is digital coercion at the national level. The Kremlin isn't just banning a service; it's actively herding millions of users toward a homegrown alternative. An app built not for better features, but for better backdoor access.
The Surveillance Playbook
Durov's claim exposes a modern authoritarian blueprint. Restrict the independent platform, then offer the 'convenient' state-approved solution. It's a forced migration, with privacy as the casualty. Citizens trade encryption for access, while the government gains a direct pipeline to personal communications.
Encryption Under Fire
The move strikes at the heart of Telegram's value proposition—private, secure messaging. By pushing users to a state-controlled platform, Russia effectively nullifies end-to-end encryption for a significant portion of its population. It's a policy dressed as a technical upgrade.
Global Ripple Effects
Watch this playbook closely. Other regimes are taking notes. The tactic offers a template for controlling digital discourse without outright internet shutdowns—more surgical, and arguably more insidious. It's digital sovereignty with teeth.
A chilling precedent for tech autonomy. When governments become app store curators with surveillance mandates, the very idea of private communication crumbles. And for investors betting on privacy-tech? Let's just say state-backed monopolies tend to crush disruptive margins. The market for freedom rarely shows up on a balance sheet.
Russian agency says Telegram broke rules and will be punished
The Russian government watchdog, Roskomnadzor, said on Tuesday that Telegram WOULD face even more restrictions. The agency said the app didn’t fix problems it was warned about earlier.
Officials started limiting voice and video calls in August. That same month, they did the same thing to WhatsApp. Then, in December, they blocked Apple’s FaceTime.
Roskomnadzor said Telegram and other messaging apps failed to follow Russian laws. It complained that the apps don’t protect user data and don’t do enough to stop scams or terrorism.
“Russian law is not being observed, personal data is not protected,” the agency said. “There are no effective measures to counter fraud and the use of the messaging app for criminal and terrorist purposes.” Because of that, more limits are coming.
People in Moscow are starting to notice that Telegram is running slower. The app is used by the Kremlin, the courts, news outlets, influencers, and even groups that have left the country. Military bloggers say it’s also a key tool for soldiers in Ukraine.
A man named Roman, who works in media, told reporters, “I noticed it clearly today. My business is very tied up with it, so that’s bad.” He said Russian companies rely on Telegram more than email to talk to new clients.
Another user, Anna, said, “It’s very bad because all my friends and family use Telegram. I don’t want to MOVE to other platforms.”
On top of all this, state news agency RIA said Telegram has eight court hearings coming up. It’s facing fines of up to 64 million roubles, or $830,000. Bailiffs are also trying to collect another 9 million roubles from older fines.
Russia is also promoting its own app, MAX, while pushing Telegram out of the way. MAX is being used for messaging and getting government services. Critics say it’s built for surveillance.
The government says that’s not true. Russia already tried and failed to ban Telegram in 2018. Since then, it has blocked Facebook and Instagram and made YouTube harder to access.
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