Telegram's Durov reaffirms commitment to privacy amid new Russian curbs

February 10, 2026 12:54 PM EST

FILE PHOTO: The Telegram app icon on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

MOSCOW, Feb ⁠10 (Reuters) - ⁠Telegram ‍founder Pavel Durov said on Tuesday that ‍Telegram remains committed to protecting ​freedom of speech and user ​privacy "no matter the pressure".

His comments came after Russia's state communications watchdog said ​that Telegram, an important platform for public ​and private communications in Russia, would face ‌further restrictions from the authorities because it had failed ​to correct ⁠previous violations.

Durov accused the authorities of curbing access ‌to Telegram in an effort to push Russians ‌toward a state-controlled alternative, most likely ‌referring to MAX messenger.

"Restricting citizens' freedom is never the right answer. ‍Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, ⁠no matter the pressure," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

(Reporting by Maxim RodionovEditing by Gareth Jones)



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