The regulator said it had reviewed evidence and decided to examine whether Telegram has failed, or is failing, to meet its legal duties on illegal content under the Online Safety Act 2023.

The case adds to complaints on online platforms operating in the United Kingdom, where authorities want stronger protection for children from harm online.

Ofcom said the law requires platforms to reduce risks linked to illegal material and act where such content appears. It added that companies must be able to show they are meeting those duties.

Telegram rejected the allegations.

The company said it “categorically” denied Ofcom’s accusations. It added that since 2018 it had “virtually eliminated” the public spread of child sexual abuse material through detection algorithms.

Telegram also said, “We are surprised by this investigation and concerned that it may be part of a broader attack on online platforms that defend freedom of speech and the right to privacy.”

The regulator also opened separate investigations into Teen Chat and Chat Avenue. It said it was unconvinced that both platforms were doing enough to protect children from grooming risks.

Suzanne Cater, Ofcom’s director of Enforcement, said, “These firms must do more to protect children, or face serious consequences under the Online Safety Act.”

The inquiry comes as Keir Starmer’s government pushes for tighter online safeguards, especially for younger users.

Telegram has faced similar cases elsewhere. In February, Australia’s online safety regulator fined the company after delays in answering questions about measures against child abuse and violent extremist material.

The UK law is considered one of the strictest internet safety frameworks in the world. It places direct responsibility on platforms to tackle illegal and harmful content or risk enforcement action.

The 40-year-old Russian-born entrepreneur, who now lives in Dubai and holds both French and UAE citizenship, revealed that his inheritance plans are already set. 

In a conversation with French magazine Le Point, Pavel Durov said all his children, both those born through natural conception and others via anonymous sperm donations, will be treated equally in his will. But none of them will see a single cent for the next 30 years.

“I decided that my children would not have access to my fortune until a period of thirty years has elapsed, starting from today. I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account,” he stated.

Pavel Durov is officially the father of six children with three different partners. However, he disclosed that more than 100 other children were conceived through sperm he began donating 15 years ago, initially to help a friend. 

“The clinic, where I started donating sperm fifteen years ago to help a friend, told me that more than 100 babies had been conceived this way in 12 countries,” he said.

“They are all my children and will all have the same rights! I don’t want them to tear each other apart after my death.”

Durov’s decision to formalise his estate comes amid serious legal challenges. French authorities arrested him in 2024 at Bourget Airport near Paris, accusing him of failing to moderate Telegram’s content and of neglecting to cooperate with law enforcement on issues like drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and financial fraud. He has always rejected the accusations.

“Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn’t make those who run it criminals,” he told Le Point, calling the accusations “totally absurd.”

Telegram, which Durov founded in 2013 after being ousted from VKontakte for refusing Kremlin censorship demands, now boasts more than a billion active users. 

The app has become a haven for those seeking privacy, but its loose moderation policies have triggered reviews across multiple jurisdictions. Reports say its architecture enables the rapid spread of misinformation and illegal content, from far-right extremism to paedophilic material.

Even with challenges, Durov is still adamant about Telegram’s mission and autonomy. He insists the company will never be sold and will instead transition to a non-profit foundation if he dies.

“If I disappear, a non-profit foundation will take over. My goal is to ensure the platform’s continuity: I want it to continue existing independently, regardless of privacy and freedom of expression.”

The billionaire downplays his wealth, even though estimates from Bloomberg and Forbes place it between $13.9 billion and $17 billion. “Since I’m not selling Telegram, it doesn’t matter. I don’t have this money in a bank account. My liquid assets are much lower – and they don’t come from Telegram: they come from my investment in bitcoin in 2013,” he told the magazine.

The rollout introduces encrypted messages, disappearing chats, and file sharing, all integrated into the existing X platform.

XChat is a total rebuild. Musk revealed the messaging system has been reconstructed from the ground up using the Rust programming language, which is known for its strong memory safety and performance. 

He also claims it uses a form of “Bitcoin-style” encryption, a phrase that has drawn attention of security experts due to its lack of clarity.

“All new XChat is rolling out with encryption, vanishing messages and the ability to send any kind of file. Also, audio/video calling. This is built on Rust with (Bitcoin style) encryption, whole new architecture,” Musk posted on X.

Here’s what’s changing:

• End-to-End Encryption: Conversations are now designed to be private. Only the sender and recipient can read messages.
• Vanishing Messages: Users can set timers for chats to disappear, offering more control over personal data.
• Universal File Sharing: The feature allows any kind of file to be sent—images, documents, videos—without restrictions.
• Audio and Video Calls: Available across devices and operating systems, with no phone number required.

For now, these features are only available to a limited number of users, primarily those on the platform’s paid tiers. Wider access is expected in the coming weeks, but no exact timeline has been announced.

Security professionals have questioned the encryption claims, arguing that comparing the app’s security to Bitcoin is misleading.

Ian Miers, assistant professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, stated, “Bitcoin primarily uses signatures, not encryption. This is like saying, we decided to run our rocket on water, since NASA uses Hydrogen and Oxygen.”

“Needless to say ‘Bitcoin style’ and ‘Rust’ are not descriptions of an encryption scheme, nor are they strong indicators of security for a messaging app. Also, unless encrypted DMs are only in app, odds are they aren’t just in Rust.”

What makes this move significant is its role in Musk’s vision. He’s not hiding the fact that he wants to turn X into a multipurpose platform, a Western version of China’s WeChat. The addition of a secure, flexible messaging tool is just one step in that transformation.

Last year, Musk announced plans to introduce payments and even dating features within the platform. Now, with the foundation of a private communications tool in place, X is inching closer to becoming a one-stop digital hub.

The agreement includes both cash and equity components and runs for one year.

Telegram users will soon begin seeing Grok inside the app, a xAI aims to push its chatbot into mainstream digital communication. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, confirmed the deal in a post on X, saying, “Together, we win!”

xAI will also split subscription revenue generated through the app with Telegram, handing the platform 50% of all earnings linked to Grok subscriptions. For xAI, this is a data-driven initiative that will scale its AI vision and reach more than a billion users globally.

Unlike previous partnerships that largely focused on infrastructure or financial services, this one is squarely aimed at user engagement and behavioural data. With most public AI training repositories now heavily mined, firms like xAI are working to find new, meaningful sources of interaction data. That’s where platforms like Telegram come in.

However, privacy is highly important. xAI’s affiliate company, X (formerly Twitter), already uses public posts to train its AI models. Whether Telegram user data will be harvested in the same way is not yet known. Neither company responded to requests for clarification.

Telegram, meanwhile, is moving fast on the financial aspect. The company is currently raising $1.5 billion through a bond sale, with backing from investors including BlackRock, Mubadala, and Citadel. The goal is to buy back debt from its earlier bond issue in 2021 and strengthen its balance sheet.

Within hours of the Grok deal becoming public, the TON token, Telegram’s blockchain-linked digital currency, surged by over 18%, jumping from $3.28 to $3.55. The increase started before the official announcement.

With Grok’s integration, Telegram is expected to roll out AI-enhanced features including threaded replies, real-time text summarisation, document previews, and smart chat moderation. These tools could change user experience on the app, especially in high-volume group settings.

Beyond its immediate results, the partnership places xAI in a stronger position to compete against established companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. However, the cost at which the scale will come is not yet known, especially to user privacy.

The directive, dated May 21, was signed by the deputy head of the ministry’s telecoms department and gives providers until June 2 to implement the block and report back.

Authorities say Telegram has refused to cooperate with law enforcement, particularly by failing to hand over user data tied to criminal investigations. 

According to the document, 68% of the app’s 9,600 Vietnamese channels and groups were reportedly involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking, fraud schemes, and cases linked to terrorism.

Having reviewed the document, this order came at the request of the country’s cybersecurity department. The government stated: “Many groups with tens of thousands of participants were created by opposition and reactionary subjects spreading anti-government documents.”

Telegram has not responded to the directive, nor has the technology ministry provided additional public comment. As of Friday, the app remained operational in Vietnam.

The case fits into a comprehensive campaign by the Communist Party-led government to tighten control over digital platforms. Vietnam has repeatedly pushed companies like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to remove content it deems “toxic.” 

Telegram, according to the ministry, is being penalised for not enforcing rules requiring platforms to actively monitor and delete illegal content.

Warnings from law enforcement about criminal threats on Telegram are not new. Police and state-controlled media have consistently highlighted fraud and data breaches tied to the app’s encrypted channels. 

What’s changed now is the government’s resolve to act more forcefully, likely due in part to Telegram’s perceived defiance.

Globally, Telegram has been dogged by controversy. In France, its founder Pavel Durov was briefly detained in 2024 amid growing pressure on messaging platforms over encryption and data privacy issues.

This sudden escalation also comes at a diplomatically sensitive time. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Vietnam this week. Some analysts suggest the timing may not be coincidental, given France’s own recent run-ins with Telegram and the EU’s digital regulation move.

Governments are under pressure, internally or geopolitically, they usually turn to digital spaces to reassert control. 

Revealed by founder Pavel Durov, this is a big win for the messaging platform as it continually expands its user base and monetisation measures despite challenges.

“This year, the number of Telegram Premium subscribers tripled, exceeding 12 million,” Durov disclosed in a recent statement. “Our ad revenue also increased a few times. Telegram’s total revenue in 2024 surpassed $1 billion, and we are closing the year with more than $500 million in cash reserves, not including crypto assets.”

The growth in premium subscriptions, launched in 2022, has been a huge driver of this success. Telegram’s innovative monetisation strategies introduced in 2024 have also helped in getting to this point. 

Features such as Stars, Gifts, Giveaways, the Affiliate Platform, Telegram Business, and Telegram Gateway have provided new revenue streams while preserving the platform’s core values.

“Our innovations in monetisation this year demonstrate that social media platforms can achieve financial sustainability while staying independent and respecting users’ rights,” Durov added.

In addition to increasing revenue, Telegram has also reduced its debt obligations. Over the past four years, the company issued around $2 billion in bonds to fund its operations. 

However, Durov confirmed that a “meaningful share” of this debt was repaid this autumn. “We took advantage of favourable prices for the Telegram bonds,” he explained.

Nonetheless, in all these, Durov acknowledged the challenges that still hit the platform. “But there’s a lot of work ahead,” he said, emphasising Telegram’s focus on continuous growth and innovation.

Telegram, which now has over 950 million monthly active users, has also expanded its offerings for businesses and content creators. The platform has introduced features like an ad revenue-sharing service and a mini-app store, enabling creators to monetise content and businesses to reach a broader audience.

Earlier this year, Durov hinted at long-term goals for the platform, including a possible public listing. For now, Telegram appears to be firmly on the path to sustained profitability, leveraging its user-centric approach to remain competitive in the social media sector.

Traditional cards with limited spending caps can be inconvenient. Users often face declined transactions when trying to make large purchases, struggle to top up their balance quickly, and constantly have to monitor their limits to avoid card blocks.

These issues become even more significant when shopping on international platforms. Due to currency conversion and additional fees, global shopping can become very costly.

The Ultima virtual card from PSTNET offers a solution to all these problems. It imposes no spending limits on its users.

With it, you can easily buy plane tickets, book hotels, pay for digital service subscriptions, purchase clothing and accessories, and even make large transactions. For example, you can order electronics or designer furniture from overseas stores.

PSTNET Virtual Cards for Global Shopping

PSTNET issues virtual cards for media buying with a 3% cashback on online transactions. The Ultima, virtual card for shopping, is ideal for active users who regularly make online payments and use their card for global purchases. PSTNET offers free cards when a certain monthly spending threshold is reached.

All PSTNET cards are highly secure, featuring 3D Secure technology and two-factor authentication.

Ultima is an unlimited card, meaning there are no restrictions on how much you can top up or spend.

Additionally, it has a favorable fee structure:

• 0% transaction fee
• 0% fee for declined transactions or transactions on frozen cards
• 0% withdrawal fee
• 2% top-up fee
• $7 monthly maintenance fee
• $99 annual maintenance fee (currently available at a 48% discount)

Moreover, users can issue an unlimited number of Ultima cards to manage their expenses.

For companies and businesses, PSTNET offers the option to create branded White Label cards. These cards can be integrated into brand products, allowing companies to offer additional services and enhance customer loyalty.

How Does the Ultima Card Work?

To start using the Ultima virtual card, simply complete a quick registration on the PSTNET platform. The process takes just a few minutes and requires you to create an account via Google, Telegram, WhatsApp, Apple ID, or email. Once registered, you can issue the card through your user dashboard.

Immediately after issuance, the card becomes active, and you can top up your balance. It’s important to note that user verification is only required if the top-up amount exceeds $500. This threshold acts as an additional security and transparency measure.

The Ultima card is suitable for converting crypto assets into fiat money with automatic conversion. It’s accepted wherever Visa and MasterCard are, making it a versatile tool for global shopping.

Topping Up Your Ultima Card

The Ultima card can be topped up in several ways:

It supports 18 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, USDT (TRC 20, ERC 20), ETH, BNB, XRP, TRX, BCH, USDC (Ethereum), USDC (Tron), ADA, SOL, MATIC, BUSD, LTC, DASH, DOGE, TON, and USDT.

Additionally, the card supports top-ups via SEPA/SWIFT bank transfers and other Visa or MasterCard cards.

To top up your card, simply log in to your user dashboard and choose your preferred funding method. With a wide range of supported currencies and top-up methods, you can easily manage your finances and transfer funds to your card anytime.

User Interaction and Support

For user convenience, PSTNET offers several channels for technical support. You can reach out for assistance via Telegram chat or use other communication methods like live chat or WhatsApp.

Additionally, there’s a special Telegram bot that sends service notifications and 3D Secure codes, helping maintain a fast interaction with the system and protect user payment data.

Conclusion

The Ultima virtual card from PSTNET is a convenient and secure solution for safe global shopping. Its main advantage is the absence of spending limits and transaction fees, making it ideal for active users. The support for multiple cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, along with easy registration, makes the card accessible to users of all experience levels in financial technologies.

Moreover, PSTNET offers opportunities for businesses by creating branded White Label cards, which can be a powerful tool for increasing customer loyalty and providing additional services.

For those who frequently shop online or work with cryptocurrencies, the Ultima card is a simple and cost-effective way to manage finances and make purchases worldwide.

The Russian-born billionaire was detained at Le Bourget airport on August 24, around 8 PM, as he arrived in Paris at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. 

Durov’s arrest emanated from accusations that he may be held responsible for illegal activities conducted by users on Telegram, a messaging app that now has 950 million users worldwide.

In his statement, Pavel Durov mentioned that he was surprised about the accusations, particularly given that Telegram has an official compliance representative in the European Union (EU) to address such issues. He noted that French authorities had multiple ways to reach him but chose not to utilize those channels. 

“Last month I got interviewed by police for 4 days after arriving in Paris. I was told I may be personally responsible for other people’s illegal use of Telegram, because the French authorities didn’t receive responses from Telegram,” Durov wrote.

He continued by explaining that the EU representative’s contact information has always been publicly available: “Telegram has an official representative in the EU that accepts and replies to EU requests. Its email address has been publicly available for anyone in the EU who googles ‘Telegram EU address for law enforcement.’”

Pavel Durov further noted that as a French citizen, he had previously engaged with French authorities and even helped set up a hotline with Telegram to address terrorism-related issues. 

The Telegram CEO condemned the French authorities’ decision to hold him personally responsible for illegal activities conducted by users on his platform, describing it as a “misguided approach.”

“If a country is unhappy with an internet service, the established practice is to start a legal action against the service itself. Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach. Building technology is hard enough as it is. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools,” Durov stated.

Pavel Durov also highlighted the challenges of balancing user privacy with law enforcement requirements, adding that Telegram has been committed to engaging with regulators globally to find the right equilibrium. However, he acknowledged that this is not always possible, particularly in countries with weak rule of law.

“Establishing the right balance between privacy and security is not easy. You have to reconcile privacy laws with law enforcement requirements, and local laws with EU laws. You have to take into account technological limitations,” he said. Durov reiterated that while Telegram is committed to protecting users’ rights, it is also open to dialogue with regulators.

Contrary to media reports that have portrayed Telegram as a platform for unchecked illegal activities, Durov clarified that the company takes meaningful steps to moderate harmful content. 

“We take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day. We publish daily transparency reports. We have direct hotlines with NGOs to process urgent moderation requests faster,” Durov explained. However, he conceded that the platform’s rapid growth to 950 million users had brought “growing pains,” making it easier for criminals to exploit it. 

Pavel Durov pledged to enhance Telegram’s content moderation efforts, stating: “That’s why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard. We’ve already started that process internally, and I will share more details on our progress with you very soon.”

Since his arrest, Durov has been placed under judicial supervision in France. He faces charges related to poor content moderation on Telegram, including accusations of terrorism and drug trafficking. Under the court’s orders, Durov is banned from leaving French territory and must report to the police twice a week. 

Despite these legal challenges, Durovsays: “I hope that the events of August will result in making Telegram — and the social networking industry as a whole — safer and stronger. Thanks again for your love and memes,” he concluded.

In his statement, Durov also revealed that Telegram’s user base has now reached 950 million for the first time, a commendable increase from the previous official figure of 800 million. This points to the app’s growing influence despite the controversies surrounding its content moderation policies.

Full Statement:

“ Thanks everyone for your support and love!

Last month I got interviewed by police for 4 days after arriving in Paris. I was told I may be personally responsible for other people’s illegal use of Telegram, because the French authorities didn’t receive responses from Telegram.

This was surprising for several reasons: 

1. Telegram has an official representative in the EU that accepts and replies to EU requests. Its email address has been publicly available for anyone in the EU who googles “Telegram EU address for law enforcement”. 
2. The French authorities had numerous ways to reach me to request assistance. As a French citizen, I was a frequent guest at the French consulate in Dubai. A while ago, when asked, I personally helped them establish a hotline with Telegram to deal with the threat of terrorism in France.
3. If a country is unhappy with an internet service, the established practice is to start a legal action against the service itself. Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach. Building technology is hard enough as it is. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools. 

Establishing the right balance between privacy and security is not easy. You have to reconcile privacy laws with law enforcement requirements, and local laws with EU laws. You have to take into account technological limitations. As a platform, you want your processes to be consistent globally, while also ensuring they are not abused in countries with weak rule of law. We’ve been committed to engaging with regulators to find the right balance. Yes, we stand by our principles: our experience is shaped by our mission to protect our users in authoritarian regimes. But we’ve always been open to dialogue.

Sometimes we can’t agree with a country’s regulator on the right balance between privacy and security. In those cases, we are ready to leave that country. We’ve done it many times. When Russia demanded we hand over “encryption keys” to enable surveillance, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Russia. When Iran demanded we block channels of peaceful protesters, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Iran. We are prepared to leave markets that aren’t compatible with our principles, because we are not doing this for money. We are driven by the intention to bring good and defend the basic rights of people, particularly in places where these rights are violated.

All of that does not mean Telegram is perfect. Even the fact that authorities could be confused by where to send requests is something that we should improve. But the claims in some media that Telegram is some sort of anarchic paradise are absolutely untrue. We take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day. We publish daily transparency reports (like this or this ). We have direct hotlines with NGOs to process urgent moderation requests faster.

However, we hear voices saying that it’s not enough. Telegram’s abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That’s why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard. We’ve already started that process internally, and I will share more details on our progress with you very soon. 

I hope that the events of August will result in making Telegram — and the social networking industry as a whole — safer and stronger. Thanks again for your love and memes .”

Lavrov, who said this during a speech at the MGIMO University, suggested that Durov’s laissez-faire approach to managing Telegram — valued by its nearly one billion users for its emphasis on privacy and freedom of speech — has made him a target for Western powers. 

“Pavel Durov was too free,” Lavrov stated, implying that the tech mogul’s refusal to conform to Western norms on content moderation has impacted his current predicament.

The Kremlin has also noted its unease over Durov’s detention. Per Reuters, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, downplayed any suggestion that negotiations were underway between the Russian government and Durov, who holds citizenship in both France and the United Arab Emirates. 

Nonetheless, Peskov pointed to the importance of ensuring that the investigations in France do not devolve into a politically motivated pursuit. 

Despite the serious allegations, Durov’s lawyer has dismissed the charges as baseless, arguing that holding the tech entrepreneur accountable for the actions of users on Telegram is unreasonable. 

The defence points to the sheer scale of the platform and the impossibility of monitoring every interaction on it. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has attempted to distance himself from any political undertones in Durov’s arrest, denying that the case is driven by anything other than legal issues. 

However, Lavrov’s statements, coupled with the Kremlin’s cautious stance, point to the fact that the situation has further strained relations between Russia and France, pushing diplomatic ties to a new low.

These charges include complicity in web mastering an online platform to facilitate illegal transactions within an organized group. 

Other charges against him involve the refusal to provide requested information to authorities for investigation, complicity in possessing and distributing pornographic images of minors and engaging in the distribution, offering, and sale of narcotics through his platform. 

Durov was taken into police custody at 8 p.m on Saturday, and the arrest is said to be part of a judicial investigation that commenced on July 8, 2024, led by Section J3 – JUNALCO (Fight Against Cybercrime) of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In addition, Pavel Durov is accused of complicity in organized fraud, selling or making available tools and programs designed to gain unauthorized access to automated data processing systems, and association with a criminal organization with intent to commit crimes punishable by up to five years or more in prison.

The charges also extend to allegations of money laundering from organized criminal activities, providing cryptology services without proper certification, and importing cryptology tools without prior declaration, which could be used to bypass authentication and integrity monitoring.

The judicial process has been intense, with investigative magistrates requesting the involvement of the Centre for the Fight Against Cybercrime (C3N) and the Anti-Fraud National Office (ONAF) to aid in the investigation. 

Durov’s custody was extended by an investigative magistrate, with the potential to extend up to 96 hours, depending on the requirements of the investigation.

These charges, if proven, could result in Durov facing up to 20 years in prison. The situation is continuously unfolding as the investigation progresses, with authorities delving deeper into the role of Telegram and Durov’s involvement in these alleged criminal activities.