Pavel Durov, the CEO of the messaging platform Telegram, has criticized Russia’s criminal inquiry against him as a “tragic display of a government fearful of its citizens.” Durov, a Russian billionaire residing in the United Arab Emirates, made this declaration on social media while acknowledging reports from Russian state media about the Federal Security Service in Russia investigating him for allegedly supporting terrorist activities.
Durov stated that Russian authorities continuously invent new reasons to limit Russians’ access to Telegram in an attempt to suppress privacy rights and freedom of speech. Access Now, a non-profit organization advocating for digital rights, has been openly critical of Telegram’s security and privacy in the past and agrees with Durov’s assessment.
Natalia Krapiva, a senior technical legal advisor at Access Now, expressed her agreement with Durov’s stance, highlighting Russia’s efforts to stifle freedom of expression and access to information for its citizens. This situation is part of an ongoing crackdown on Telegram by Russia, as the country’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, recently announced restrictions on the platform for non-compliance with Russian regulations.
The Russian government has not officially confirmed details of the investigation into Durov, but reports suggest he is being probed for allegedly aiding terrorist activities through Telegram. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the Federal Security Service had identified numerous violations by Telegram and content that could pose a threat to the country. Peskov emphasized that Telegram’s lack of cooperation led to necessary measures being taken by relevant agencies.
Aside from targeting Telegram, Russia has also imposed restrictions on other apps like FaceTime and banned messaging platforms such as Signal, Viber, and WhatsApp, as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The government is promoting its state-owned messaging app, MAX, as an alternative, claiming it offers various services conveniently. However, concerns exist that MAX could be exploited for surveillance purposes, especially against journalists and activists, as the platform openly shares user data with authorities upon request.
Despite government disruptions, Telegram’s usage remains high in Russia, with many individuals utilizing virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions. Krapiva noted a significant increase in VPN usage in Russia. The quality gap between state-owned apps like MAX and private foreign-owned platforms contributes to the continued preference for platforms like Telegram among Russian users.
Furthermore, the Russian government is cracking down on VPN services, aiming to limit access to information and create a closed online environment fully controlled by authorities. Krapiva described this approach as a distressing and bleak prospect for internet freedom in Russia.