All posts tagged: Durov

Telegram’s Durov says Russia triggered payment system problem by blocking VPNs

Telegram’s Durov says Russia triggered payment system problem by blocking VPNs

Published by Sam Flores

MOSCOW, April 4 : Telegram founder Pavel Durov said on Saturday Russia’s attempt to block Virtual Private Networks triggered a problem with a domestic payment system, adding that tens of millions of Russians were now resisting the digital controls. The issue sowed chaos on Friday for some ​shoppers, forcing the Moscow metro to allow entry without payment through its turnstiles, while a regional ​zoo had to ask visitors to ​use cash. “Their blocking attempts just triggered a massive banking failure,” Durov said on Telegram. “Welcome back to the Digital Resistance, my Russian brothers and sisters. The entire nation is now mobilised to bypass these absurd restrictions.” Source link

Russia launches terror probe into Telegram chief Pavel Durov – POLITICO

Russia launches terror probe into Telegram chief Pavel Durov – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov piled the pressure on, telling reporters Tuesday that authorities had recorded “a large number of violations” and Telegram’s “unwillingness … to cooperate.” The probe marks the latest chapter in Moscow’s decade-long battle with Durov. Russia attempted to block Telegram in 2018 after the company refused to hand over encryption keys — a ban that ultimately failed. Authorities have since intermittently throttled the service while also targeting other foreign platforms, including WhatsApp. Durov, who left Russia in 2014, has repeatedly framed the pressure as politically motivated. Earlier in February, he warned Moscow was trying to push users toward a state-controlled messaging app “built for surveillance and political censorship,” adding: “Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.” The tech entrepreneur, however, has been in trouble outside Russia over the platform. In 2024, he was arrested in France and temporarily banned from leaving the country after being charged with several organized crime offenses. Prosecutors claimed he refused to cooperate with authorities’ attempts to combat illegal content, including child pornography, …

Russia investigates Telegram founder Durov in a bid to subjugate the messaging app

Russia investigates Telegram founder Durov in a bid to subjugate the messaging app

Published by Sam Flores

MOSCOW: Russia stepped up its bid to subjugate the Telegram messaging app on Tuesday (Feb 24), announcing in a state-run newspaper that it was investigating billionaire founder Pavel Durov as part of a criminal case involving accusations of terrorism. Russia is trying to block Telegram, which has more than 1 billion active users and is used very widely in both Russia and Ukraine – and steer tens of millions of Russians towards a state-backed alternative known as MAX. Telegram did not respond to a request for comment and Durov could not be reached, although the app has repeatedly denied Russia’s allegations that it is a haven for criminal activity and compromised by both Western and Ukrainian intelligence. Russia’s official state newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, published a 1,500-word article which it said was “based on materials from Russia’s Federal Security Service” that accused the app of being “a tool for hybrid threats”. “The actions of the head of Telegram, P. Durov, are being investigated as part of a criminal case on the grounds of a crime under …

Telegram’s Durov reaffirms commitment to privacy amid new Russian curbs

Telegram’s Durov reaffirms commitment to privacy amid new Russian curbs

Published by Sam Flores

MOSCOW, Feb 10 : Telegram founder Pavel Durov said on Tuesday that Telegram remains committed to protecting freedom of speech and user privacy “no matter the pressure”. His comments came after Russia’s state communications watchdog said that Telegram, an important platform for public and private communications in Russia, would face further restrictions from the authorities because it had failed to correct previous violations. Durov accused the authorities of curbing access to Telegram in an effort to push Russians toward a state-controlled alternative, most likely referring to MAX messenger. “Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure,” he wrote on his Telegram channel. Source link