Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, is under investigation in Russia for allegedly supporting terrorism through the platform.
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, is currently under scrutiny by Russian authorities for allegedly supporting terrorist activities. This investigation, reported by "Russian Gazette" and "Komsomolskaya Pravda", is linked to claims that Telegram is being used to disseminate illegal content and facilitate criminal activities.
According to reports, the inquiry falls under part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the promotion of terrorism. The Federal Security Service (FSB) suggests that Telegram's administration has not adhered to Roskomnadzor's (RKN) requests to eliminate channels and chats that contain prohibited information.
RKN has been restricting Telegram's operations since mid-2025, citing a surge in fraudulent activities. In early 2026, the throttling of the app intensified due to its non-compliance with Russian laws. Durov has previously defended Telegram, stating that the platform stands for freedom of speech and privacy.
History of Conflict
This is not the first instance of Telegram facing restrictions in Russia. The service was blocked in 2018 due to its refusal to provide encryption keys to authorities, which the government labeled as a threat to national security. Although a bill aimed at lifting the ban was introduced in 2020, Telegram was ultimately unblocked after Durov committed to improving measures against terrorism.
Potential Ban in Ukraine
In Ukraine, officials are also addressing the use of Telegram for unlawful purposes. Following recent explosions in Lviv, Deputy Head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Office, Iryna Vereshchuk, called for a review of Telegram's operations in the country, citing its alleged role in facilitating crime recruitment. However, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko clarified that a complete ban is not under consideration, with the focus instead on reducing crime associated with the platform.
"The issue of using Telegram is not solely a matter for the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Security Service of Ukraine. It is a question that society must also answer," Klymenko stated.
Previous Legal Issues in France
Durov was previously detained in France in August 2024 amid a broad cybercrime investigation. He faced multiple charges, including complicity in drug trafficking and failing to comply with law enforcement requests. Durov characterized his detention as a "legal absurdity" and has since advocated for stricter moderation on Telegram to combat illegal content.
"We strive to engage with regulators to find the right balance [between privacy and security]," he emphasized.
Since 2018, Telegram has cooperated with authorities by disclosing IP addresses and phone numbers of offenders when requested. However, precise data on the number of such requests has not been updated since September 2024.
Broader Digital Control Trends
Globally, there is a growing trend toward regulating digital communications. The EU's "Chat Control" bill, which mandates the scanning of personal messages for child sexual abuse materials, has sparked significant controversy. This regulation affects platforms with end-to-end encryption, including Telegram.
While users have rallied against the initiative through campaigns like Fight Chat Control, countries like Australia have already implemented age verification systems across various digital platforms. Durov has previously warned of the impending risks to the free internet amid these regulatory movements.
