The Kremlin has expressed its sentiments regarding the recent restrictions imposed on Telegram, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov articulating a sense of regret over the circumstances that led to these measures. In a conversation with state media, Peskov emphasized the necessity for the popular messaging platform to adhere to Russian laws.
What happens with Telegram is a pity, according to Peskov
Peskov attributed the current limitations on Telegram’s operations within Russia to the company’s non-compliance with local regulations, describing the situation as unfortunate. In his remarks to the TASS news agency, he stated:
“I see and read statements from Roskomnadzor that the decision was made to slow down Telegram because the company is not complying with Russian law. Well, it’s a pity that the company isn’t complying, but there is a law that must be followed.”
When questioned about the possibility of a complete ban on the widely used messaging service, Peskov suggested that it would be more beneficial for Telegram and similar platforms to adhere to legal requirements.
On Monday, Russian users began reporting disruptions in Telegram services, and by the following day, it was revealed that Roskomnadzor, the country’s telecom watchdog, had initiated restrictions on the messenger. Data from Downdetector indicated that over 11,000 complaints were logged within a 24-hour period, with nearly one-third of users experiencing notification failures, and others reporting issues with the mobile app, general failures, and website outages, as detailed by TASS.
The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media later confirmed its commitment to impose “consistent restrictions” on Telegram until it aligns with Russian legislation and ensures the “protection of citizens,” according to RBC. Reports from RIA Novosti suggest that Telegram may face fines totaling 64 million rubles (approximately 0,000) across eight upcoming court hearings, all stemming from alleged failures to remove content deemed illegal by Russian authorities.
Durov’s reaction said to decide the fate of Telegram in Russia
While Roskomnadzor has indicated a willingness to collaborate with both domestic and international internet platforms that respect Russian laws, some analysts believe that recent statements from Telegram founder Pavel Durov may jeopardize this potential cooperation. On Tuesday, Durov publicly criticized the Russian government’s actions, asserting that the restrictions on his messenger were an attempt to coerce Russians into using a “state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship.”
Russian authorities have been promoting a government-approved messaging service named Max, which is positioned as an alternative to competitors like WhatsApp. In August, Roskomnadzor announced limitations on voice calls via both Meta’s app and Telegram, citing their popularity among fraudsters.
Durov drew parallels to Iran’s past attempts to ban Telegram, emphasizing that such strategies ultimately failed. He stated:
“Despite the ban, most Iranians still use Telegram (bypassing censorship) and prefer it to surveilled apps. Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
Political consultant Dmitry Fetisov remarked that Durov’s stance could have significant implications for Telegram, particularly as the space for negotiation with Moscow diminishes. He noted:
“With his statement, Durov effectively ‘dumped’ the Russian segment of Telegram.”
Despite this, Fetisov pointed out that there remains a window of over a month before a complete ban might be enacted, during which a resolution could still be reached, although Durov has signaled a reluctance to engage in negotiations. He also mentioned that Durov’s comparison to Iran may have offended many within Russia’s political landscape, making it unlikely that the authorities would relent under public pressure.
“As bitter as this may sound for many, in this situation, Telegram’s fate is sealed by mid-March. Unless some more powerful factors intervene. We’ll see,” he added.
Analyst Eldar Murtazin from the Mobile Research Group suggested that Telegram would likely explore avenues to circumvent Roskomnadzor’s restrictions, noting that the messenger has previously demonstrated resilience against blocking efforts in various countries. He expressed confidence that Durov’s fundamental position has remained unchanged since 2015, indicating that the standoff with Russian authorities is set to continue.
Durov, who holds dual French-Emirati citizenship, departed from Russia over a decade ago after alleging that the Russian social network he co-founded, VK, had been taken over by Kremlin allies following his refusal to censor dissenting voices. VK, now the developer of the state-approved Max messenger, stands in stark contrast to Durov’s vision for Telegram.
