Telegram says it has found no flaws in its encryption system, rejecting claims by the Russian government that foreign intelligence services can access messages sent by Russian soldiers through the messaging app.
Russia’s state regulator has imposed restrictions on Telegram — a key platform for both public and private communication in the country — citing what it calls the company’s failure to remove extremist content.
Digital Development Minister Maksud Shadayev stated yesterday that foreign intelligence services may be able to view Telegram messages sent by Russian units fighting in Ukraine. Russian soldiers, war correspondents, and politicians have said that troops widely use the app — not only to communicate with their families at home, but at times also for operational purposes.
“Evidence of a breach in Telegram’s encryption has never been found,” the company told Reuters. “The Russian government’s claim that our encryption has been compromised is a deliberate fabrication intended to justify banning Telegram and forcing citizens to switch to a state-controlled messaging platform designed for mass surveillance and censorship,” the company added.
Russia has also blocked or restricted other foreign messaging platforms, such as Meta’s WhatsApp and Apple’s FaceTime. Authorities have urged citizens to migrate to a new state-run application called MAX, rejecting accusations that it is designed as a surveillance tool.
