TONGram (prev. Toncoin) Price

Russia has brought criminal terrorism-facilitation charges and issued an international arrest warrant for Telegram founder Pavel Durov. The Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges the platform failed to remove content used by Ukrainian special services and extremist groups to coordinate sabotage, terrorism, and cyber fraud within Russia. Despite this escalation and Russia's promotion of its own MAX messaging app, government bodies, including the Kremlin, continue using Telegram. Durov, now holding Emirati and French citizenship, faces separate investigations in France and has previously called such actions an attack on free speech. Telegram, with over one billion users, remains central to communications in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner is suing Telegram in Federal Court, alleging the messaging platform failed to comply with the Online Safety Act by not removing pro-terror content after user complaints. The regulator's investigation claims certain reported material remained visible for weeks and that Telegram did not adequately prevent its spread, including known extremist footage. Potential fines could reach AU$54.6 million. Telegram posted a "freedom of expression" video but issued no formal statement. This case increases global scrutiny of Telegram's moderation. Simultaneously, Russia's FSB charged CEO Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism for allegedly not removing channels used by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups. Durov also faces charges in France related to illegal content distribution. He has criticized government actions as threats to online privacy and free exchange.

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been added to Russia's list of terrorists and extremists by Rosfinmonitoring, as published on July 30. The entry includes his name and date of birth. The designation follows an announcement by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on July 29, which charged Durov with aiding terrorist activity. The FSB alleges that a Telegram dating bot named "DaiVinchik" was used to recruit 46 individuals for attacks on police and arson, orchestrated by Ukrainian special services. The FSB also accuses Telegram's administration of failing to remove channels and bots used by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups. Durov is reportedly subject to an international arrest warrant. Inclusion on the Rosfinmonitoring list leads to significant restrictions: the freezing of Durov's bank accounts and assets, severe limitations on financial transactions, and a ban on election participation, media interaction, and event organization. Transfers to his accounts may be considered terrorism financing. For ordinary Russian Telegram users, purchasing Telegram Premium is not classified as financing terrorism, according to an IT expert. General use of the messenger—messaging, managing channels—does not automatically make a user a participant in extremist activity. There has been no official decision to ban Telegram itself. It is noted that French authorities are also investigating Durov over allegations of inadequate measures against criminal activity on the platform and insufficient cooperation with law enforcement. Durov denies all charges.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly responded after Russian authorities designated him a "terrorist," claiming the move came after he refused government demands for mass surveillance and censorship. The Russian Federal Security Service accused him of facilitating terrorist activity by failing to remove channels used by terrorist groups and Ukrainian intelligence, building on a criminal case launched in February. Durov's legal challenges extend beyond Russia. He faced arrest in France in 2024 over allegations Telegram failed to adequately moderate illegal content, though he was later allowed to return to Dubai. The platform is also facing new court proceedings in Australia for allegedly not removing terrorism-related content. Positioning himself as a defender of free speech and digital privacy, Durov has criticized proposed EU surveillance measures and threatened to leave France if forced to grant access to users' private messages.

Russian lawmaker Andrey Svintsov, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, has advised citizens against purchasing Telegram's Gram cryptocurrency, urging them to await official guidance from Roskomnadzor and the FSB before making any financial transactions via Telegram channels. He reiterated demands for Telegram to open a Russian office, store user data locally, and cooperate with security services. This warning follows reports that Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been charged in Russia with facilitating terrorist activity. The FSB alleges Telegram failed to remove channels and bots used by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups to coordinate acts of terrorism, sabotage, and cyber fraud, resulting in casualties and billions in damages. Russia's Investigative Committee linked the case specifically to a dating bot with over 13 million users, allegedly used for recruitment. Durov, detained by French authorities, confirmed the terrorism-related charges in late February. In June, he announced the rebranding of his 2019 crypto project back to its original name, Gram, with Telegram taking full control. Following the accusations, Gram's price dipped but has since partially recovered, though it remains well below its May peak and is down 14% over the past year.