Telegram loses to Russian secret service in message decryption case

Russia’s highest court has ruled against Telegram in a case against Russian intelligence agency FSB. The chat service must therefore comply with the order to allow access to messages.

Now that the Supreme Court has dismissed Telegram’s appeal against the FSB’s order, the instant messaging service must comply with the requirement to “provide information necessary to decrypt received, sent, delivered and/or processed electronic messages” . In practice, this means that the service must hand over decryption keys with which the spy service can access users’ communications.

The Russian telecoms authority Roskomnadzor has informed Telegram of the need to comply with the FSB’s wishes within 15 days, otherwise the service risks a blockade in Russia. Telegram, however, refuses to accept the outcome of the case. According to CEO Pavel Durov, it will threaten with blockades do nothing. “Telegram continues to stand for freedom and privacy.”

When Telegram refused to comply with the FSB’s requirement last year, the service was fined more than eleven thousand euros. Telegram then challenged the request. According to Bloomberg, Telegram will appeal the decision of the Supreme Court. The Russian legal system offers in some cases the possibility to appeal against decisions of the Supreme Court, if the case has not been dealt with in lower courts.