Pavel Durov

Telegram messenger largely blocked in Russia, users report

Telegram messenger has become almost completely inaccessible in Russia, with both the mobile app and web version failing to work for most users, especially on home internet providers, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on March 16, citing experts and user complaints tracked by Downdetector.

16 March, 03:38 PM

Durov likens Russia to Iran after Telegram throttling

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram messaging app, said that recent throttling of the service in Russia appear aimed at forcing citizens to switch to a competing government app “created for surveillance and political censorship.”

10 February, 09:19 PM

French intelligence rejects Durov’s Romania election interference accusations

France’s Directorate-General for External Security (DSGE) denied Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s allegations that it requested the blocking of pro-conservative accounts linked to Romania’s presidential election, France24 reported on May 19.

19 May 2025, 03:06 PM

Lviv Regional Administration bans Telegram on official devices for security

The Lviv Regional Military Administration has banned employees from using Telegram on official devices, according to its website on Oct. 11.

11 October 2024, 07:11 PM

Telegram cooperates with global authorities after Durov’s arrest

After the arrest of Pavel Durov and his release under judicial supervision, the social media platform Telegram has begun cooperating with law enforcement not only in France but also in other countries around the world, said Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, on Saturday, Sep. 21.

21 September 2024, 04:15 PM

Durov cooperates with French government, hands over phone to law enforcement

Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram messaging app, had admitted under questioning that he maintained contacts with members of France's Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGSI) and met with some in Dubai, reported French newspaper Liberation on Aug. 30, citing sources.

31 August 2024, 05:37 PM

Parliament prepares bill to regulate Telegram

The Ukrainian parliament will consider a bill aimed at regulating Telegram in Ukraine by late September, parliamentary Information Policy Committee announced on Aug. 29.

30 August 2024, 11:47 PM

Telegram under EU investigation for data accuracy

Telegram may have provided inaccurate user data in the EU to avoid new law requirements.

30 August 2024, 12:29 PM

Telegram founder Durov holds citizenship in four countries

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, holds passports from Russia, France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis, Politico reported on Aug. 29.

30 August 2024, 10:59 AM

Pavel Durov visited Russia 50 times since 2014 despite emigration claims

Telegram founder Pavel Durov continued to travel to Russia even after selling his stake in the VKontakte social network in 2014 and announcing his emigration due to government pressure, reports the Russian publication Vazhnye Istorii.

28 August 2024, 10:35 AM

Pavel Durov