"Is Telegram facing a ban in Russia?"
Telegram, the popular messaging app, is reportedly planning to establish a Russian branch to comply with the federal law "on landing" for foreign IT companies. However, the app's founder, Pavel Durov, and former press secretary, Georgy Lobushkin, have publicly denied these claims [1][5].
The decision to open a Russian branch aligns with Russia's "landing law," which was enacted on January 1, 2022. This law requires foreign IT companies with large Russian user bases to establish a legal presence, store user data locally, and comply with government requests [2][3].
According to Hi-Tech Mail and DK.RU, Telegram has initiated the official registration process with Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor. The company has partially complied by registering on Roskomnadzor’s website and providing user contact forms for Russian authorities [1][2][3][4].
However, Durov has dismissed these reports, suggesting they may be part of a discrediting campaign. Lobushkin echoed this sentiment, stating that there are no plans to open a local branch for multiple reasons [5].
Potential Implications for Telegram
If Telegram does proceed with opening a Russian branch, there could be several implications:
- Compliance with Russian law: Establishing a physical presence in Russia may help Telegram avoid legal penalties such as advertising bans or service blocking within the country [2][4].
- Data localization and government access: Opening a Russian branch would likely require storing Russian users’ data domestically and responding to government requests, potentially impacting user privacy and Telegram’s stance on data control [2][3].
- Political pressure and competition: Telegram is widely used by various political factions in Russia, including opposition figures. The move comes amid Russia’s efforts to launch a government-backed “national messenger” app, signaling possible increased regulatory and competitive pressure on Telegram [4][5].
- Credibility and user trust: Durov’s denial suggests Telegram’s desire to maintain independence and distance from Russian state control. Formal registration may raise concerns among users about censorship and surveillance despite legal compliance [3][5].
In summary, while Telegram is reportedly proceeding with a legal process to open a branch or office in Russia driven by regulatory demands, the company’s leadership publicly denies it. This situation highlights a tension between complying with local laws and maintaining Telegram’s reputation as a private and independent messaging platform [1][3][5].
Additional Information
- The "landing" law applies to companies with a daily audience of over 500,000 users.
- Foreign companies that refuse to comply with the "landing" law face a ban on advertising and accepting payments from Russian physical and legal persons.
- From January 2023 to July 2022, 12 enforcement proceedings have been opened against Telegram in Russia.
- The market for advertising with Russian bloggers in 2025 may reach 57 billion rubles. This fact is not directly related to Telegram's compliance with the "landing" law but is relevant information from the article.
- The strategic decision to open a Russian branch by Telegram could potentially allow the messaging app to adhere to the "landing law," thus avoiding legal penalties such as advertising bans and service blocking within the country.
- In the event that Telegram does open a Russian branch, it would likely be required to store Russian users' data locally, which could impact user privacy and challenge the company's stance on data control due to the necessity to respond to government requests.
