Telegram Blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya Over Security Concerns
Authorities in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya have blocked the messaging app Telegram due to security concerns, according to Dagestan’s Minister of Digital Development, Yuri Gamzatov. Russian news agency TASS reported the development, citing Gamzatov’s confirmation. Reuters also covered the story.
Gamzatov stated that "Telegram is being used by enemies," referencing the riots that took place in October 2023 at Makhachkala Airport in Dagestan. During that incident, an attempt was made to attack passengers arriving on a flight from Israel. Hate campaigns were reportedly spread on various Telegram channels ahead of the event, prompting the platform to later announce the blocking of those channels.
Telegram was founded by Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur. The Dubai-based messaging service is widely used across Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics. In 2018, Moscow attempted to ban Telegram but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Gamzatov suggested that Telegram might be reinstated in the future but advised users to switch to alternative messaging platforms for the time being.
