Court Issues Ruling to Block Telegram in Russia

A Russian court issued a ruling on Friday to block the messaging app Telegram in the country. This ruling comes after Telegram announced it would refuse to share its encrypted information with Russian authorities. According to the Associated Press, Russian communications officials had previously called for Telegram to be filtered in the country, demanding that the company hand over its encryption keys to Russian officials in order for the messaging service to remain accessible. Telegram encrypts all user information and communications, making access impossible without the encryption keys. The report states that a state court in Moscow acted on this request on Friday, April 12, prohibiting Russian users from accessing this popular messaging app. This ban is the result of a long-standing dispute between Telegram and Russian officials. Russian authorities claim they need access to encryption keys for investigations into terrorist attacks and serious crimes. They assert that this application has previously been used by extremist groups for violent purposes. Telegram, which has a Russian entrepreneur named Pavel Durov as one of its managers, argues that the Russian intelligence service violates the rights of its customers. Telegram is the first widely used and popular communication tool in Russia to be officially banned and blocked. Pavel Durov requested his lawyers not to attend the court session on Friday, stating that the outcome of the court was predetermined. Pavel Chikov, one of Telegram's lawyers, also stated that the company does not intend to yield to the Russian intelligence agency, as the court session, which lasted no more than 20 minutes, indicates political motivations against Telegram in Russia. He added that under such circumstances, there is no possibility of reaching any agreement or compromise with the Russian government. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, whose team uses Telegram for daily administrative matters, stated on Friday that the Kremlin is not in a position to comment on court rulings. In Iran, some figures, including the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace and some principlist clerics, have called for the filtering of Telegram. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, spokesperson for the judiciary, announced on April 12 that Iran had asked Pavel Durov, the Russian manager of Telegram, to accept some of Iran's laws, which he refused, leading to a cessation of cooperation since December. Telegram was blocked for several days in Iran during the nationwide protests in December.