Russia restricts Telegram, threatening it with millions in fines

The Telegram app is facing further tightening of regulations in Russia, which could lead to its slowdown and heavy financial penalties. According to Russian media, the supervisory authority Roskomnadzor has begun restricting access to the platform for content that the authorities consider illegal.

Although Telegram continues to function, users report slower video downloads. At the same time, it faces fines of up to 64 million rubles in eight court cases for allegedly failing to remove prohibited information.

Telegram, founded by entrepreneur Pavel Durov, is an important communication channel in the country for state institutions, the media, and the opposition in exile.

Recently, however, Moscow has been cracking down on foreign technology companies. Last year, it restricted calls via Telegram and WhatsApp, and in December it blocked FaceTime. At the same time, it is supporting the development of the state-owned MAX app, which critics consider a surveillance tool.

Russia failed to completely block Telegram even when it tried in 2018.

(reuters, pir)