Telegram has dismissed claims by the Russian government that foreign intelligence services can access messages sent by Russian soldiers via the messaging app.
Russia’s state communications regulator imposed restrictions on Telegram, citing the company’s alleged failure to remove extremist content. Digital Development Minister Maksud Shadayev claimed that foreign intelligence could monitor communications between Russian troops.
In response, Telegram said in a statement to Reuters: “No breaches of Telegram’s encryption have ever been found. The Russian government’s allegation that our encryption has been compromised is a deliberate fabrication intended to justify outlawing Telegram and forcing citizens onto a state-controlled messaging platform engineered for mass surveillance and censorship.”
Russian authorities have also restricted other foreign messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and FaceTime, urging citizens to switch to a state-backed app called MAX.
