Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, has criticized the Russian government’s attempts to block VPN services, claiming these efforts have led to significant disruptions within the country’s payment systems.
Durov stated that the government’s actions did not yield the intended results; instead, they resulted in widespread chaos. “Their blocking attempts simply caused a massive failure in the banking system,” he emphasized.
The issues with the payment system created confusion for many consumers. For instance, the Moscow Metro temporarily allowed passengers to enter without payment, while one regional zoo requested visitors to pay in cash.
In his remarks, Durov welcomed Russians back to what he termed the “digital resistance.” He expressed solidarity, stating, “Welcome back to the Digital Resistance, my Russian brothers and sisters. The entire nation is now mobilized to circumvent these absurd restrictions.”
Meanwhile, the Russian authorities are preparing to further restrict Telegram’s operations within the country. This comes as the government intensifies its control over the digital landscape while promoting the so-called national messenger, MAX, as an alternative to established services.
However, even within Russia, there are doubts about the new service. Concerns over potential surveillance by the FSB have led many to view MAX as a tool for control rather than a secure communication platform.
Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, has attributed recent disruptions in Russia's payment systems to government attempts to block VPN services. As authorities prepare to impose further restrictions on Telegram, skepticism about the new national messenger, MAX, persists among the public.