Pavel Durov, the CEO of messaging application Telegram, has criticized Russia’s criminal investigation against him as a “pathetic display of a government fearful of its citizens.” Durov, a Russian tycoon residing in the United Arab Emirates, made this statement on X while acknowledging reports from Russian state media that the Federal Security Service is probing him for allegedly “assisting terrorism.”
In response to the investigation, Durov condemned the authorities for continuously creating new reasons to limit Russians’ access to Telegram in their efforts to suppress privacy rights and free speech. Access Now, a Berlin-based organization advocating for digital rights, has voiced support for Durov’s stance, citing Russia’s attempt to stifle freedom of expression and access to information for its citizens.
Natalia Krapiva, senior technical legal counsel at Access Now, expressed agreement with Durov’s position, emphasizing the Russian government’s restrictive actions against independent communication platforms. This move against Telegram is part of a broader crackdown by Russia, which has also targeted other applications like FaceTime, Signal, Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The government is steering users towards its state-owned messaging service, MAX, promoting it as a comprehensive solution for various online activities.
Krapiva cautioned that MAX could potentially serve as a surveillance tool for the Russian government, particularly concerning the privacy of journalists and activists. Despite these restrictions, Telegram usage remains prevalent in Russia, with many individuals resorting to virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass government-imposed constraints. The government’s efforts to limit VPN services and promote domestic online platforms aim to establish a self-contained Russian internet environment under strict government control.
