Russian court rules that Telegram must be blocked immediately

The Moscow court has ruled that Telegram in Russia should be blocked immediately. The court is thus responding to the request of the Russian telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor.

Telegram’s blockade in Russia must take effect immediately and remain in place until the chat service hands over its encryption keys to the intelligence service FSB, Russia’s TASS press service writes, based on the ruling of the Tagansky Court in Moscow.

Last year, the FSB demanded Telegram’s private keys to access communications from Telegram users. Telegram refused and was fined, but appealed this decision to the Russian Supreme Court. However, it ruled in favor of the FSB, after which the telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor went to court to enforce a blockade.

Whether the blockade will actually take effect immediately remains to be seen. Another appeal from Telegram against Roskomnadzor is pending, which is likely to have a suspensive effect.