Authorities in Dagestan and Chechnya, two regions in southern Russia, have blocked access to the Telegram messaging app due to security concerns.
The decision was announced on March 8, 2025, amid rising fears that the platform could be exploited by adversaries to coordinate unrest and extremist activities.
The ban follows a notable incident in October 2023, where an anti-Israel protest at Makhachkala airport escalated into violence, with demonstrators attempting to storm the facility.
Authorities signaled that Telegram was used to disseminate information that incited this unrest, prompting the need for stricter control over the app.
Dagestan's Minister of Digitalisation, Yuri Gamzatov, emphasized that Telegram's weak content moderation allows extremist material to spread unchecked, further justifying the ban.
The blocking of Telegram reflects broader trends in Russia regarding online communication and government control.
This action is part of a series of measures aimed at curbing platforms perceived as threats to national security.
Officials have encouraged residents to switch to alternative messaging services while suggesting that the ban could be lifted in the future if safety concerns are adequately addressed.
The Russian government has previously attempted to regulate Telegram but faced challenges due to its popularity and the widespread use of VPNs by users to bypass restrictions.
This recent development underscores ongoing tensions between state authorities and digital communication platforms in Russia, raising questions about user privacy, freedom of expression, and the balance between security and civil liberties.
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