Finance
Telegram Still Not Complying With Russian Law, Russian Regulator Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 18, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 18, 2026
Quick Summary
Roskomnadzor says Telegram continues to flout Russian law, prompting further restrictions amid a campaign to promote the Kremlin‑backed app MAX.
Telegram Remains Non-Compliant with Russian Law, Regulator Reports
Ongoing Dispute Between Telegram and Russian Authorities
Regulator's Statement on Telegram's Compliance
MOSCOW, March 18 (Reuters) - Telegram messaging app is still not complying with Russian laws, the state communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday, according to state‑run news agency RIA.
Accusations Against Telegram
Alleged Use for Illegal and Extremist Content
Russian authorities have repeatedly accused Telegram, one of the most popular messaging apps in Russia, of allowing itself to be used as a platform for illegal and extremist content.
Telegram's Response to Allegations
Rejection of Charges
Telegram rejects the charges and has accused Russia of trying to throttle its services in order to force people to switch to a state-run app called MAX.
Alternative State-Run App: MAX
(Reporting by ReutersWriting by Maxim Rodionov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Key Takeaways
- •Roskomnadzor confirmed it will maintain and escalate restrictions on Telegram for non‑compliance with laws governing fraud, extremist content and data protection. (themoscowtimes.com)
- •Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov criticized the move as authoritarian and argued the Kremlin seeks to force users onto the state‑controlled MAX platform. (techradar.com)
- •Russia continues to push its home‑grown MAX app by pre‑installing it on devices and sidelining encrypted foreign platforms to consolidate digital control. (cyberinsider.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Telegram still not complying with Russian law, Russian regulator says
1What has the Russian communications regulator said about Telegram?
Roskomnadzor stated that Telegram is still not complying with Russian laws.
2Why are Russian authorities concerned about Telegram?
Authorities accuse Telegram of being used for illegal and extremist content.
3How has Telegram responded to the accusations by Russian authorities?
Telegram rejects the charges and accuses Russia of trying to throttle its services.
4What platform has Russia promoted as an alternative to Telegram?
Russian authorities are promoting a state-run messaging app called MAX.
