Pavel Durov Archives

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Russia is not planning to ban foreign messaging apps, provided they comply with Russian law | Tech Regulation

Russia's deputy head of President Putin’s administration, Maxim Oreshkin, stated that foreign messaging applications will not be banned as long as they comply with Russian laws, which include registration and measures to prevent fraud. He emphasized the development of a domestic messaging app called Max, created by VK, which aims to integrate with Russia's banking system. Oreshkin encouraged entrepreneurs to create user-friendly services for competitive advantage. His comments followed reports of Telegram seeking to align with Russian regulations by filing for registration with Roskomnadzor, although its founder, Pavel Durov, denied claims of exiting the Russian market.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

What is MAX, the state-owned app Russia’s Vladimir Putin is trying to replace WhatsApp with?

Russia has mandated that all government officials transition to the Max app by September 1 as part of a strategy to reduce reliance on foreign messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. The ban on WhatsApp is anticipated as officials prepare for the rollout of the state-developed Max app by VK Company, which has extensive access to users' personal data and operates under close government oversight. The legislation also prohibits apps from countries that have sanctioned Russia, indicating an effort to bolster national security in digital communications. Additionally, restrictions on software and services from "unfriendly countries" are being proposed, along with fines for accessing online content deemed extremist.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Russia moves to restrict foreign messaging apps on Putin’s order

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to create new restrictions on foreign messaging applications and software from "unfriendly" countries. Plans are underway to limit the use of foreign communication services in Russia, potentially targeting WhatsApp, which is currently the only Meta service not banned. Russian Senator Artem Sheikin suggested that WhatsApp could face a block by 2025 if it does not comply with Russian regulations. The status of Telegram is uncertain, as it denies ties to Russian authorities despite investigations suggesting otherwise. In response, Russian officials are required to use the Max messenger from VK, which has extensive access to users' devices and relays data to servers linked to Vkontakte, a social network controlled by Russian authorities.

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

Messaging app Telegram reportedly plans Russian office to satisfy regulatory demands

Telegram is considering establishing a representative office in Russia to comply with the country's "landing" regulations for foreign IT companies, which require a local presence and adherence to government requests. The process of opening the office is currently in the coordination stage, according to Roskomnadzor. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has expressed skepticism about the regulator's claims regarding the office's development. Despite uncertainties, Telegram has taken steps to comply with some Russian regulations, including registering on Roskomnadzor’s website, but has not yet met all requirements of the "landing" law enacted in summer 2020.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Telegram Begins Legal Process to Open Office in Russia

The developer of the Telegram messaging app has begun the legal process to establish a representative office in Russia, nearly four years after a law requiring foreign tech companies to have a physical presence in the country was enacted. Telegram Messenger, Inc. is in the approval process for office registration with Roskomnadzor, though the application date is undisclosed. Previously, Telegram has taken minimal steps to comply with Russian localization laws. The platform remains popular in Russia, attracting a varied user base. Speculation exists about the timing of this move, especially with new regulations mandating that personal devices sold in Russia come pre-installed with a state-sponsored messenger, which is expected to be filled by a new app called Max. Roskomnadzor has not confirmed Telegram's plans and has directed inquiries to the company. Telegram has not publicly commented on the office registration.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

I Tried Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp, and This Is the One I’d Recommend

Telegram retains data necessary for its operations, including metadata like IP addresses. In 2024, the company updated its privacy policy to clarify that it can disclose IP addresses and phone numbers of rule violators to law enforcement upon valid legal requests. This resulted in Telegram fulfilling 900 information requests from U.S. authorities in 2024, affecting 2,253 individuals. Telegram has experienced data breaches, including a 2020 incident where 42 million Iranian users had their data compromised and a 2019 vulnerability exploited by Chinese agencies affecting protestor identities in Hong Kong. The platform allows users to create public channels for sharing content, but these channels are not end-to-end encrypted. Telegram offers secret chats that are end-to-end encrypted, but they are limited to the device of origin. The app allows for automatic message deletion, with a minimum interval of one day, and features a self-destruct option for accounts after a period of inactivity. Telegram's client applications are open-source, while its server-side code is closed-source. The company operates on a freemium model, offering a paid tier for enhanced features. Telegram is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

These Three Messaging Apps Are Encrypted, but One Stands Above the Rest

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging service that collects and retains metadata, including IP addresses. In 2024, Telegram updated its privacy policy to allow sharing of user data with law enforcement upon valid requests, leading to 900 information requests from U.S. authorities affecting 2,253 individuals. The platform has experienced data breaches, including a 2020 leak of data from approximately 42 million Iranian users and a 2019 incident involving the exposure of Hong Kong protestors' identities. Telegram supports public channels that lack end-to-end encryption, allowing anyone on the platform to view content. It offers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, but these can only be accessed on the user's device. The platform features an automatic message deletion option with a minimum interval of one day and a self-destruct feature for accounts, messages, and contacts after specified inactivity periods. Telegram's client applications are open-source, but the server-side code is closed-source. The company's cloud servers are encrypted, and encryption keys are stored across various jurisdictions. Telegram operates on a freemium model, providing additional features through a paid subscription while displaying ads in public channels with over 1,000 subscribers. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store at no cost.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Putin’s WeChat wager Moscow is betting on a super-app strategy to sideline foreign platforms and control digital communications

In late May, a significant amendment was introduced to a draft bill aimed at establishing a government-backed instant messaging platform, endorsed by President Vladimir Putin, which would have unique privileges compared to competitors. The proposed legislation includes features like document certification using electronic signatures and replacing physical identification with the platform's identification, which private enterprises would be required to accept. The platform is intended to function as an alternative to Russia's existing digital government services but will not replace them. The government will select an organization to manage the platform, which may be a private Russian company with over 500,000 users. VK, the company behind Russia's leading social network, is the frontrunner to develop the super-app called "Max," which offers various features and aims to integrate with external services. The Russian government may consider blocking competitors to Max, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, with the latter having a user base of 68 million daily users. President Putin has instructed his cabinet to promote the Russian messaging platform by migrating services from government agencies and financial institutions.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Telegram, Elon Musk’s xAI partner to distribute Grok to messaging app’s users

Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, announced a partnership with Elon Musk's xAI to integrate the AI model Grok into Telegram, benefiting its over one billion users. The one-year agreement will provide Telegram with significant financial support, including 0 million in cash and equity from xAI, as well as 50% of revenue from xAI subscriptions sold through Telegram. Grok 3, launched in February, is claimed by Musk to outperform other leading AI models in various fields.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Vietnam orders ban on Telegram messaging app over security concerns

Vietnam's telecommunications providers have been instructed to block access to Telegram due to national security concerns and alleged non-compliance with local laws. The Ministry of Information and Communications claims that 70% of Telegram channels in Vietnam are linked to illicit activities, including fraud and drug trafficking. Officials allege that Telegram has failed to remove illegal content and provide user data for investigations. A spokesperson for Telegram stated that the company had responded to legal requests from Vietnam. Vietnam has a history of enforcing strict online content controls, previously threatening to block Facebook and discussing a ban on TikTok. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France earlier this year over allegations related to cybercrime and expressed his commitment to improving the platform's security in light of its rapid user growth to 950 million.