Telegram Bypasses Restrictions in Russia for Premium Users

Telegram has successfully enabled some users in Russia to access the app without a VPN or proxy.

On the evening of April 16, certain Android users with Telegram Premium subscriptions reported that the app began connecting directly to Telegram servers. By the morning of April 17, the Telegram Desktop version also started working for some Premium subscribers.

The development is attributed to recent improvements in Telegram’s built-in anti-censorship technology. However, the change is not universal — it primarily affects Premium users on Android and Desktop, while most regular users and iOS users still require VPNs or proxies.

Russian authorities have been attempting to restrict Telegram access in recent weeks, but the messaging app continues to adapt its protocols to maintain service.

Thanks : 💌💌💌

My Interview with TLG Interview Channel

I recently participated in an online interview with the channel TLG Interview. If you're interested, feel free to check it out. The channel also features many interesting interviews with various individuals. I would like to thank @sbuffa for this wonderful opportunity.

@NewsAndTipsNT

Telegram Android Beta

◾️Version: 12.6.5
◾️Build: 66859

Changelog:

- fixed copying bolded link (https://bugs.telegram.org/c/54026, 27👍)
- fixed clicking gift value button in rtl (https://bugs.telegram.org/c/58282, 3👍)
- fixed absent view in chat button in restricted chats (https://bugs.telegram.org/c/47187, 2👍)
- fixed losing caption on moving caption to the top (https://bugs.telegram.org/c/48042, 1👍)
- fixed timestamp inside caption to replying media (https://bugs.telegram.org/c/60863)

New Limits on Poll Participation

In the source code for Telegram Desktop, there are lines of code that show the addition of tools to track and stop poll-rigging:

• The option to allow voting only for users who subscribed to the channel at least 24 hours ago.
• The ability to allow voting only to users from a selected country (or multiple countries).
• The ability to view poll statistics.

Let us remind you that in 2020, the Telegram team had already created polls in which the answer options were available only to users with Belarusian SIM cards.

It remains unclear, however, whether the platform will allow channel administrators to disable voting for subscribers who join the channel after a poll is posted or whether it will make the same mistake as with giveaways, where this option is also unavailable.

#Desktop #polls

British Regulator Ofcom Launches Investigation into Telegram

The British communications regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Telegram regarding its compliance with obligations to combat illegal content under the local Online Safety Act 2023.

According to Reuters, the investigation was prompted by data from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection regarding the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the platform, as well as the regulator's own assessment.

If violations are found, platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global turnover.

Telegram's Position

• The messenger "categorically" denies Ofcom's accusations.
• The company claims that since 2018, the public distribution of CSAM on the platform has been "virtually eliminated" thanks to the work of automatic detection algorithms.
• Telegram stated they are surprised by the investigation and concerned that it might be "part of a broader attack on online platforms that defend freedom ​of speech and the ​right to privacy".
• A day earlier, Pavel Durov noted that "protecting children" has become a standard PR move for lawmakers to gain control over media narratives.

Context

This is not Telegram's first clash with regulators over CSAM. In February 2025, the Australian regulator eSafety fined the messenger $600,000 for delaying a response to a similar request. In response, the company abandoned its usual passive stance, moved to active legal defense, and sued Australia, challenging the legality of the fine.

At the end of 2024, Telegram officially agreed to cooperate with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) — one of the key organizations maintaining CSAM signature databases. Our team has also extensively analyzed Telegram's internal moderation processes based on reports for eSafety: the disclosed documents reveal that photos and videos in all private groups and channels on the platform are automatically scanned against known illegal materials.

Recently, the UK has been consistently ramping up pressure on social media. Earlier this year, to comply with local legislation, Telegram already had to launch an experimental facial age verification system for British users.

It is worth noting that in recent years, under the banner of child protection, European countries have been increasingly pushing requirements that could violate privacy of communications and live. For example, due to requirements from this same Ofcom, Apple was forced to disable E2E encryption for iCloud backups, and the European Union is developing the EU Chat Control law, which is similar to the British OSA in its invasiveness.

#UK #moderation #laws

France's "Agency for Secure Documents" was hacked. Names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers of 19 million people — leaked from a single government database.

Future leaks will be even more catastrophic if the French government gets what it wants: access to encrypted chats and Digital IDs of social media users.

© @durov/497

Telegram categorically denies Ofcom’s accusations. Since 2018, Telegram has virtually eliminated the public spread of CSAM on its platform through world-class detection algorithms and cooperation with NGOs.

We are surprised by this investigation and concerned that it may be part of a broader attack on online platforms that defend freedom of speech and the right to privacy.

- Telegram