Russia Enforces New Fines on Telegram, Keeps Meta’s Facebook and Instagram Banned
Russia's communications watchdog extended fines and blocked Telegram’s voice and video calls, maintaining bans on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram and promoting its state-backed MAX service. Telegram founder pledged continued privacy protections and confidential computing translation technology that may attract users away from Meta’s platforms.
1. Russia Expands Restrictions on Messaging Apps
Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor has announced fresh fines and restrictions on Telegram, citing the platform’s non-compliance with local data protection and content moderation laws. The agency blocked Telegram's voice and video calls and continues to enforce bans on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, while promoting the state-backed MAX service for official communications.
2. Telegram's Privacy Push Could Challenge Meta Platforms
Telegram founder Pavel Durov affirmed that the platform will uphold user privacy and freedom, rejecting coercion onto state-controlled apps. He highlighted Telegram’s in-chat translation feature built on confidential computing, stressing no third-party data sharing, a proposition that could attract users away from Meta’s messaging ecosystem.