February 19, 2026
Russia’s Federal Security Service breaks off contact with Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing him of enabling terrorism and child exploitation
Russia’s Federal Security Service chief said Wednesday that talks with Telegram founder Pavel Durov had broken down. Speaking to Kremlin press pool reporter Alexander Yunashev, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov accused the messaging platform of enabling crimes ranging from child exploitation to terrorism while Durov pursues personal financial gain.
TL;DR
- FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov stated that talks with Telegram founder Pavel Durov have ended unsuccessfully.
- Bortnikov accused Durov of enabling crimes such as child exploitation and terrorism for personal financial gain.
- The FSB is no longer in contact with Durov, and there's no indication of future talks.
- Telegram was previously blocked in Russia in 2018 after the FSB demanded encryption keys, with the ban lifted in 2020.
- In February 2025, Russian authorities began throttling access to Telegram, which Durov criticized as an assault on freedom and privacy.
- Bortnikov rejected this criticism, asserting that the actions protect public interests and do not violate freedom of speech.
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