The Telegram messaging app has faced restrictions in two regions under the control of the Russian Federation, specifically Dagestan and the temporarily occupied territory of Ichkeria, commonly known as Chechnya. This decision stems from concerns regarding the platform’s potential use by those deemed “enemies” of the state.
Official Statements and Concerns
According to Yuri Gamzatov, Dagestan’s Minister of Digitalisation, the app has been linked to various incidents, including unrest at Makhachkala airport. He emphasized the need for Telegram to enhance its content moderation policies, noting that extremist materials frequently evade detection and blocking.
In a similar vein, Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, supported the blocking as a necessary step to curb the app’s role in coordinating civil disturbances. He highlighted the app’s usage during recent unrest as a critical factor in the decision to restrict access.
Despite the current limitations, Dagestan authorities have indicated that there may be a possibility of lifting the ban on Telegram in the future, suggesting a willingness to revisit the app’s status as circumstances evolve.
