Pavel Durov, the CEO of the messaging application Telegram, has dismissed Russia’s criminal investigation against him as a “pathetic display of a government fearful of its citizens.” Durov, a billionaire of Russian descent residing in the United Arab Emirates, made this statement on X while acknowledging Russian state media reports about the Federal Security Service investigating him for allegedly “assisting terrorism.”
According to Durov, the Russian authorities continuously invent new justifications to limit Russians’ access to Telegram, aiming to suppress privacy rights and freedom of speech. Access Now, a digital rights non-profit organization that has previously criticized Telegram’s security and privacy, concurs with Durov’s stance.
Natalia Krapiva, senior technical legal counsel at Access Now, expressed agreement with Durov’s assessment, emphasizing that Russia is actively stifling freedom of expression and information accessibility for its citizens. This situation reflects Russia’s broader campaign to restrict Telegram, a widely used messaging platform in the country, even among Russian troops engaged in Ukraine.
Russia’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, recently announced restrictions on Telegram due to the company’s non-compliance with Russian regulations. While the specifics of the investigation into Durov have not been officially confirmed by Russia, the state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported that he is being probed for allegedly aiding terrorist activities through Telegram.
The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, mentioned that the Federal Security Service had identified numerous violations by Telegram, potentially posing a threat to the country. Peskov highlighted Telegram’s lack of cooperation with authorities as a key reason behind the ongoing measures taken by relevant agencies.
In addition to targeting Telegram, Russia has imposed restrictions on various other applications, including FaceTime, Signal, Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The government’s promotion of the state-owned messaging app, MAX, as an all-encompassing platform for communication and services raises concerns about potential surveillance, particularly for journalists and activists.
Despite the government’s efforts to steer users towards MAX, many Russians continue to use Telegram, leveraging tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent restrictions. Krapiva noted a significant increase in VPN usage in Russia, attributing it to the superior quality and functionality of private, foreign-owned platforms compared to state-controlled alternatives.
However, Krapiva mentioned that Russia has also begun targeting VPN services, censoring content related to VPNs to limit access and awareness among the population. The overarching objective appears to be establishing a closed-off online environment solely within Russia’s jurisdiction, enabling complete governmental control of information flow.
The evolving situation in Russia regarding online restrictions and surveillance poses a concerning prospect, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding digital rights and freedom of expression for individuals within the country.