Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, revealed that Russian authorities are investigating him for “aiding terrorism,” amid Moscow’s ongoing attempts to restrict the popular messaging app. The move comes as Russia promotes its state-backed alternative, Max, which critics say compromises privacy.

Durov, who holds Russian and French citizenship and lives abroad, claimed the charges are fabricated pretexts to limit Russians’ access to Telegram and suppress free speech. Russia has long demanded back-door access to the app to bypass encryption, which Durov has refused.

State media cited FSB materials alleging that Telegram’s reluctance to cooperate contributed to deaths linked to “terrorist” activities, though no official confirmation of the investigation has been provided. Telegram remains a widely used platform and social media hub in Russia, including for official government communication.

Experts note that Kremlin tactics often use allegations of terrorism or extremism to target critics, and this latest escalation coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The situation underscores ongoing digital censorship and surveillance concerns in the country.