Russia has opened a criminal case against Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, accusing him of 'collaboration with terrorism'. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claims that Durov's messaging platform has not taken action against more than 154,000 channels and chats that the authorities deem illegal, which range from opposition activities to serious crimes such as child pornography and drug trafficking. This development highlights the increasing pressure the Russian government is placing on digital platforms to align with its security and censorship policies.

This legal action is part of a broader strategy by the Kremlin to control communication channels within Russia. As dissent and opposition have surged in recent years, officials have sought to clamp down on platforms that allow for free expression and organization among opposition groups. The accusations against Durov are seen as an attempt to substantiate the regime’s claims that external forces are manipulating dissent in Russia, thus justifying their repressive actions against technology platforms.

Additionally, this situation reflects the government's push for citizens to adopt its state-sponsored messaging service, Max, which is backed by security services. By targeting successful platforms like Telegram, the Russian government aims to suppress dissent while promoting its own surveillance-friendly communication tools. The implications of this case could affect not only Durov and Telegram but also impact how digital platforms operate in Russia amid rising authoritarian measures.