A Russian court has ordered the blocking of a popular messaging
app following a demand by authorities that it share encryption data
with them.
The ban follows a protracted row between Telegram and Russian
officials who insist they need access to encryption keys to
investigate serious crimes including terrorist attacks.
The Moscow court ruled that Telegram will be blocked in Russia
until it hands over the keys.
Telegram, a popular app developed by Russian entrepreneur Pavel
Durov, argues that the FSB intelligence service is violating
consumer rights, while authorities say the app has been used by
violent extremists.
The Supreme Court last month threw out an appeal by Telegram
against the requirement to provide the data.
Mr Durov had asked his lawyers not to attend the court hearing
because he said he saw the verdict as a foregone conclusion.
Pavel Chikov, one of Telegram’s lawyers, said in a post on his
Telegram channel that the company would not back down in the face
of the Russian intelligence services because the court hearing,
which lasted about 20 minutes, showed that the case against
Telegram is politically motivated.
“It is impossible to make any concessions or accept any
agreements in this situation,” he said.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, whose
team uses Telegram to arrange briefings for reporters, said it is
not the Kremlin’s place to comment on court rulings.
Privacy is not for sale, and human rights
should not be compromised out of fear or greed. https://t.co/ACsCvk6WFx— Pavel Durov (@durov) April 13, 2018
Telegram was still available late on Friday afternoon in Russia,
several hours after the court ruling.
Mr Durov in a social media post called on Telegram users in
Russia not to delete the app and keep downloading updates,
promising the latest version will have “built-in” features to
circumvent the ban.
“Privacy is not for sale, and human rights should not be
compromised out of fear or greed,” he said.
AFP
A Russian court has ordered the blocking of a popular messaging
app following a demand by authorities that it share encryption data
with them.
The ban follows a protracted row between Telegram and Russian
officials who insist they need access to encryption keys to
investigate serious crimes including terrorist attacks.
The Moscow court ruled that Telegram will be blocked in Russia
until it hands over the keys.
Telegram, a popular app developed by Russian entrepreneur Pavel
Durov, argues that the FSB intelligence service is violating
consumer rights, while authorities say the app has been used by
violent extremists.
The Supreme Court last month threw out an appeal by Telegram
against the requirement to provide the data.
Mr Durov had asked his lawyers not to attend the court hearing
because he said he saw the verdict as a foregone conclusion.
Pavel Chikov, one of Telegram’s lawyers, said in a post on his
Telegram channel that the company would not back down in the face
of the Russian intelligence services because the court hearing,
which lasted about 20 minutes, showed that the case against
Telegram is politically motivated.
“It is impossible to make any concessions or accept any
agreements in this situation,” he said.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, whose
team uses Telegram to arrange briefings for reporters, said it is
not the Kremlin’s place to comment on court rulings.
Privacy is not for sale, and human rights
should not be compromised out of fear or greed. https://t.co/ACsCvk6WFx— Pavel Durov (@durov) April 13, 2018
Telegram was still available late on Friday afternoon in Russia,
several hours after the court ruling.
Mr Durov in a social media post called on Telegram users in
Russia not to delete the app and keep downloading updates,
promising the latest version will have “built-in” features to
circumvent the ban.
“Privacy is not for sale, and human rights should not be
compromised out of fear or greed,” he said.
AFP
Read more https://nairalaw.com/russian-court-blocks-telegram-messaging-app-in-privacy-row/