According to information from Telegram sources, several Russian officials and security forces have been instructed to delete official correspondence in the Telegram messenger. This directive was reportedly given to employees of law enforcement agencies, officials from the Presidential Administration and the Government of Russia. Sources also mentioned that a similar instruction was issued by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and some major businessmen.
However, some of the officials surveyed by the “Base” channel stated that they have not deleted any correspondence yet. Some are anticipating such orders from their superiors at the beginning of next week.
This development comes in the wake of a recent incident involving the detention of Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, at the Paris airport. French media outlets, citing a source close to the investigation, reported that French special services are seeking access to Telegram for investigations related to criminal activities, sanctioned companies, and individuals.
In response, Telegram News published a statement emphasizing that the company complies with EU laws, including the Law on Digital Services. The moderation of content in the messenger meets industry standards and is continually being enhanced.
Telegram representatives also defended Pavel Durov, stating that the CEO has nothing to hide and frequently travels across Europe. They dismissed as unfounded the allegations that the platform or its owner should be held accountable for users’ misconduct.
As one of the most widely-used messengers globally, with nearly a billion users for communication and sharing important information, Telegram stated that they are monitoring the situation regarding Durov’s detention in Paris.