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Roskomnadzor Denies Reports That It’s Throttling Telegram Over Content Moderation Disputes

A State Duma lawmaker had accused the messaging app of failing to comply with requests to remove flagged content promptly.

$500M in Telegram Bonds Frozen in Russia Due to Sanctions – FT

The freeze highlights Telegram’s continued exposure to Russian capital despite efforts by its founder Pavel Durov to distance himself from Moscow.

Moscow Judge Tosses WhatsApp Users’ Class Action Lawsuit Against Roskomnadzor

A group of WhatsApp and Telegram users filed the lawsuit earlier this month in response to call restrictions on both apps.

Telegram and WhatsApp Users File Class-Action Lawsuit Against Roskomnadzor

The 42 plaintiffs argue that state restrictions on the two messaging apps violate their constitutional rights.

Russian Lawmakers Still Prefer Telegram Despite Kremlin Push for State-Backed Max Messenger

Earlier reports said the presidential administration had instructed lawmakers and officials to move their official channels to Max.

Telegram and WhatsApp Access Restricted in 34 Russian Regions – Monitor

Thirty-four regions have reported being unable to send messages on the two apps in addition to making calls.

Telegram Founder Durov Says He Survived 2018 Poisoning Attempt

Investigative journalist Christo Grozev said the symptoms described by Durov are consistent with nerve-agent poisoning.

Leftist Groups Across Russia Stage Protests Against Telegram, WhatsApp Call Blocking

The protests come weeks after authorities said they began throttling calls on the two messaging apps in order to “counter criminal activity.”

Kremlin Orders Officials to Move Telegram Channels to Domestic Messaging App Max – Vyorstka

The move is aimed at creating a “priority information system” on Max before the platform opens to the public.

Roskomnadzor Says It’s Restricting WhatsApp, Telegram Calls

The state communications watchdog claimed that the restrictions are an anti-fraud measure to protect Russian citizens from scams and extortion.

Suspected Government Tests Disrupt WhatsApp and Telegram Calls in Russia

A telecoms industry source told Kommersant that the disruptions may be related to the “selective blocking” of calls on the two messaging apps.

Telegram Begins Legal Process of Opening Office in Russia

Until now, the developer of the Telegram messaging app had taken minimal steps to comply with Russian localization laws.

Durov Hints at Anti-Telegram Smear Campaign as Russia Readies Homegrown Competitor

The Telegram founder pointed to what he described as a series of misleading news reports and online attacks.

Investigation Uncovers Telegram's Potential Links to Russia's FSB

The app's infrastructure is controlled by a man whose companies have collaborated with Russian intelligence services, IStories reported.

Telegram Founder Durov Says He Rejected Western Request to ‘Silence’ Conservative Voices in Romania

“A Western European government… approached Telegram, asking us to silence conservative voices in Romania ahead of today’s presidential elections...

Telegram Accused of Removing Popular News Channel at Russia’s Request

The tech company denied any involvement, saying the channel was “deleted by its owner, possibly as a result of unauthorized access.”

Chechen Official Decries ‘Prejudiced’ Telegram Ban in North Caucasus Regions

Over the weekend, federal authorities moved to block the messaging app in Chechnya and Dagestan over security concerns.

Telegram Boss Durov Admits 'Seriousness' of Allegations: Source

In 10 hours of questioning by the magistrates, Durov said that he was "disgusted in a personal capacity."

Moscow Vows Response After State Media Telegram Channels Blocked in EU

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced what she called a “constant campaign of repression against Russian media.”

Russia Labels Telegram News Channel Astra ‘Foreign Agent’

The news channel, founded shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said it would continue its work despite the designation.

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