Russia’s digital minister said foreign intelligence services may be accessing Telegram messages sent by Russian soldiers, as authorities tighten controls on foreign-owned messaging platforms
Foreign intelligence services are able to see messages sent by Russian soldiers using the Telegram messaging app, Russia’s Minister for Digital Development Maksud Shadayev said on Wednesday, according to the Interfax news agency.
Telegram, one of the most widely used messaging platforms in Russia, is heavily relied upon by Russian forces engaged in fighting in Ukraine. At the same time, it faces pressure from Russian authorities, who have imposed restrictions over what they describe as a failure to remove extremist content.
“There are numerous indications that foreign intelligence agencies have access to the messenger’s correspondence and are using this data against the Russian military,” Shadayev was cited as saying.
Regulatory action against messaging platforms
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulator, has said it is slowing down Telegram’s service as part of a broader crackdown on foreign-owned messaging applications that it says have not complied with Russian law.
Last week, the Kremlin confirmed that US messaging app WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms META.O, has been fully blocked for failing to comply with local regulations. Authorities have suggested that Russians use a state-backed “national messenger” called MAX instead.
Critics say MAX is a surveillance tool. Russian authorities deny this.
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