# Russia Declares Telegram Founder Pavel Durov a 'Terrorist and Extremist,' Sparking Unintended Consequences Russia's **Federal Security Service** (**FSB**) has officially designated **Telegram** founder **Pavel Durov** as a terrorist and extremist. This move follows accusations that **Telegram** has failed to remove channels and bots allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence and other extremist groups. The **FSB** has also indicated its intent to seek **Durov**'s placement on an international wanted list. **Durov** has vehemently rejected these allegations, asserting that Moscow's actions are retaliation for his refusal to comply with demands for mass surveillance and censorship on **Telegram**. He humorously noted on **Telegram**, "Under Russian law, I'm banned from publishing information on the internet. Russian officials have clearly got confused about who can ban whom from the internet." Under Russian law, individuals added to the terrorist and extremist list face severe financial restrictions, including frozen assets and limited access to banking services. However, these measures have had minimal impact on the **Telegram** messaging app itself, which remains widely accessible across Russia, even used by various Russian state institutions. ## Businesses Rush to Comply The most immediate consequences of **Durov**'s designation have been felt by Russian businesses scrambling to comply with the new regulations. Online platforms have begun removing products associated with the billionaire. Russian e-book and audiobook platform **LitRes** has pulled "The Durov Code" and "The Durov Code 2," two biographies of the **Telegram** founder. Retail giants **Wildberries** and **Ozon** have also announced reviews of their product listings, with **Ozon** planning to remove books and merchandise featuring **Durov**. Even the tech publication "Durov's Code," which initially focused on **Telegram** and **Durov**'s projects, has rebranded to **Kod.ru**. Editors stated that while a name change was being considered, recent events accelerated the decision. Streaming service **Kion** has removed the 2021 documentary "Durov" from its catalog. Additionally, Moscow fertility clinic **AltraVita**, which offers IVF using **Durov**'s donated sperm, has added a notice to its website informing patients of his new status and is considering terminating its agreement with him. Despite these actions, Russia's financial watchdog **Rosfinmonitoring** clarified that Russians can continue using **Telegram** and paying for **Telegram Premium** subscriptions without legal repercussions, as the restrictions apply to **Durov** as an individual, not to **Telegram** as a company. ## Mounting International Pressure The Kremlin's actions coincide with increasing scrutiny of **Telegram** from regulators outside Russia. Recently, **Apple** briefly removed **Telegram** from its App Store worldwide after reports of child sexual abuse material (**CSAM**) being shared on the platform. The app was reinstated after **Telegram** removed the content and banned the offending account. **Telegram**'s official account responded to a user sharing **Apple**'s explanation with, "I'm sure this stance will be applied equally to all other apps in the store in the future, right?" In April, Britain's online safety regulator initiated an investigation into **Telegram** over alleged facilitation of **CSAM**. **Telegram** claims to have "virtually eliminated" the public spread of such material through automated detection and collaboration with NGOs. **Durov** also remains under investigation in France concerning allegations that **Telegram** facilitated **CSAM** distribution, drug trafficking, fraud, and other organized crime. He has denied wrongdoing, calling his brief detention in France "absurd" before returning to Dubai in March. **Durov**'s exact whereabouts remain unclear, though he mentioned a visit to Georgia in July. His future is uncertain, but Russian lawyers interviewed by **TASS** suggest that France and the United Arab Emirates are unlikely to extradite him due to his citizenship in both countries.