Telegram Founder Durov Criticizes Russia's Internet Censorship, Calls It a Gift to U.S. Surveillance
Telegram founder Pavel Durov publicly criticized Russia's internet censorship policies, arguing they undermine rather than advance the country's stated goal of 'digital sovereignty.' His comments came days after Apple removed Russia's state-backed messaging app Max from its App Store and amid FSB accusations that Western intelligence agencies are exploiting iPhones of Russian officials. The remarks highlight a deepening conflict between Durov and Russian authorities over control of digital infrastructure and surveillance.
Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram who lives in Dubai and holds UAE and French citizenship, posted sharp criticism of Russia's internet censorship on his Telegram channel, arguing the policies inadvertently benefit U.S. cyber espionage rather than protecting Russian digital sovereignty. He contended that any app running on iOS or Android is exposed to U.S. surveillance through backdoors and app store controls, making domestic alternatives like the state-backed Max app merely cosmetic fixes. Durov dismissed such efforts as 'Potemkin villages with a distinct flavor of corruption.' His comments followed Apple's removal of Max from its App Store and an FSB claim that Western intelligence agencies had used major web hosting services to spy on senior Russian officials via iPhones. Durov also criticized Russian authorities for causing a brain drain of tech talent capable of building a genuinely independent domestic smartphone operating system. Telegram itself has become increasingly difficult to access in Russia without a VPN, as authorities slow its speeds and block calls, citing security concerns related to attacks attributed to Ukraine and its allies. Russian officials have pushed users toward Max, which Durov and other critics allege was designed as a mass surveillance and censorship tool.
What's missing
Durov himself was arrested in France in August 2024 on charges related to Telegram's alleged facilitation of criminal activity, a legal situation that adds complexity to his public positioning as a free-speech advocate against government overreach. Additionally, Telegram's own data-sharing practices and its relationship with various governments have been subjects of ongoing scrutiny.
How coverage differed
The Moscow Times, which has been designated an 'undesirable organization' by Russian authorities, frames Durov's criticism sympathetically and presents Russian censorship policies in a negative light. Coverage from Russian state-aligned outlets would likely emphasize the security rationale for internet restrictions and portray Durov's comments as hostile to national interests.
What different sources said
- The Moscow TimesCenter
Telegram Founder Durov Slams Russia’s Internet Censorship as a Boon for U.S. Spying
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