Russia Slows Telegram Over Security Concerns Amid Alleged Foreign Access to User Chats

Russia’s Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media announced that the speed of the Telegram messaging app in the country has been reduced due to repeated violations of local regulations. He also expressed concerns over possible access by foreign intelligence agencies to users’ correspondence on the platform.

According to RIA Novosti news agency, Maksut Igorevich Shadayev stated that the Russian media watchdog decided to restrict Telegram’s speed after registering multiple consecutive violations. He explained that this measure aligns with enforcing national laws in the information technology sector.

Shadayev added that since 2022, crimes related to messaging applications in Russia have tripled. Although he did not provide further details on the nature of these crimes, he stressed that the rising trend has heightened concerns among responsible authorities.

The senior Russian official further claimed that there is substantial evidence indicating some foreign intelligence agencies have access to Telegram conversations and use the obtained data against the Russian military.

The Russian Minister of Digital Development also said that Telegram has so far ignored about 150,000 requests by Russian authorities to remove content deemed prohibited. Telegram officials have not yet issued any official response to these allegations.