Translated material
The media revealed the timing of Telegram blocking
The Russian authorities have decided on the timing of blocking the Telegram messenger, an RBC source familiar with discussions in the relevant departments said . According to him, the possibility of adopting this measure in early April is now being considered.
Two journalist sources close to the Kremlin called it a final decision. Among the reasons for the blocking, they named the increasing cases of recruitment of people, including minors, to commit illegal acts.
Roskomnadzor commented to Kommersant on the words of RBC sources: “The department has nothing to add to previously published information on this issue.”
On the morning of February 24, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Komsomolskaya Pravda published materials stating that an investigation had been launched against the founder of the Telegram messenger Pavel Durov in a criminal case under the article of promoting terrorist activities. Such a case has not been officially reported.
In response to this, Durov stated that information about the criminal case against him is a pretext to limit Russians’ access to Telegram and “suppress the right to privacy and freedom of speech.”
On February 10, it became known that the Russian authorities decided to slow down the work of Telegram. Later that same day, “Verstka” sources close to the Kremlinreported that a complete blocking of Telegram is not ruled out in September, when the State Duma elections will be held.
Later, Roskomnadzor accused the messenger of creating infrastructure for the so-called “Internet breakdown.” In addition, the department stated that Telegram does not comply with Russian legislation, and also does not take measures to ensure the security of citizens’ data, so restrictions will continue to be introduced.
In turn, the Kremlin said that it had nothing to do with blocking the messenger, but supported the actions of Roskomnadzor. The actions of the Russian authorities outraged Z-bloggers and propagandists . According to them, in particular, Telegram has practically no alternative at the front.