The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France has sparked significant concern in Russia, where the popular messaging app is used by both the Kremlin and its opponents. This arrest has raised fears that Telegram, one of the last bastions of uncensored news in Russia, could face a potential ban. Since Russia’s offensive in Ukraine began in February 2022, dissent and protest have been severely restricted, with independent news outlets and Western social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) being blocked. In this environment, Telegram has become a crucial source of free speech and uncensored information.
Moscow is now worried about the future of Telegram and its Russian-born founder, Pavel Durov, who was charged in late August with failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the platform. Although Durov has been released on bail, he is not allowed to leave the country. The Kremlin has cautioned France against turning this case into “political persecution.” The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov is not the only challenge the platform faces. The European Commission is also investigating whether Telegram has more EU users than it claims, which could subject it to stricter regulations.
In Russia, Telegram channels cover a wide range of topics that are otherwise censored in state media, from front-line reports on the Ukraine conflict to trials of Kremlin critics. With millions of subscribers, these channels have become a primary source of information for many Russians. The Kremlin, government ministries, and regional governors also rely heavily on Telegram for public communication. Blocking Telegram would be seen as a significant act of censorship, according to Alexei Venediktov, head of the Echo of Moscow radio station.
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Telegram’s importance has only grown during the Ukraine conflict, with the platform becoming a key tool for military communication on both sides. As the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov unfolds, his fate and the implications for the platform have become a rare unifying concern across the political spectrum in Russia.
