Telegram CEO Fights Back on Russia’s Attempt to Restrict Access

Telegram billionaire Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov vowed to resist Russian authorities’ attempts to restrict access to the popular messenger in order to make people use the Kremlin-backed app Max.

“Russia is restricting access to Telegram in an attempt to force its citizens to switch to a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship,” Durov said in a statement on his platform. “Restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.”