Russia Restricts Telegram, Millions Report Disruptions (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Russia just restricted its most important messaging app and that is a huge deal for millions of people here in this country. Telegram is by far the most popular messaging platform here in Russia. People use it to share news, they use it to chat and of course also to get information about what Russia calls the special military operation in Ukraine. Now millions of users here in Russia are reporting issues with Telegram and this comes after the Russians have already severely restricted the use of WhatsApp and also of YouTube. The Russian media authority Roskomnadzor has confirmed the restrictions. It accuses Telegram of not doing enough to protect user data, personal data, and also not doing enough to prevent what it calls the spread of both criminal and terrorist content. Telegram itself accuses the Russians of wanting to push people towards the government-endorsed messaging app which is called Max. Military bloggers are even complaining they say that all of this could hamper communications for Russian soldiers near the front lines.