How is Telegram connected to the FSB? And what does this mean for you? Investigation

This story is important for a billion people — each of whom, likely including you, has no idea what kind of Trojan horse they’re carrying in their pocket. It’s trusted by people in Russia, Ukraine, the United States, India, and many other countries. With its help, terrorists plan attacks and Russian security services recruit agents for sabotage abroad. One of the main reasons why hundreds of millions of people around the world trust Telegram is the image of Pavel Durov, its creator, as an unyielding freedom fighter and a guardian of user privacy who is persecuted by the authorities in Russia and elsewhere. Important Stories conducted our own investigation and uncovered how Telegram is connected to the FSB — and what that means for you personally. 00:00 “We care about freedom” 01:07 The myth of Durov’s exile from Russia 04:06 The myth of a safe and secure messenger 07:33 Who is responsible for Telegram’s infrastructure 11:21 A compromise with the FSB 15:43 An instrument for worldwide surveillance 17:45 Durov, VKontakte, and Surkov 19:38 “Business loves silence”