"My gut says Telegram is an FSB operation"

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has faced criticism for allegedly facilitating criminal activities, including drug trafficking and ransomware operations. Critics argue that he misleads users about the security of the platform, claiming that Telegram is not truly encrypted and that all chat histories are stored on its servers indefinitely. Concerns have been raised about an undocumented API that allows unauthorized access to group chats, suggesting potential government surveillance capabilities. The article also questions Durov's motivations for leaving Russia, implying that it may have been a strategic move to negotiate with the FSB rather than a genuine conflict with the Russian state. Furthermore, it criticizes Telegram for not being transparent about its encryption practices and for running smear campaigns against competitors like Signal, which is viewed as more secure. The author calls for Telegram to adopt peer-to-peer encryption, open its source code for scrutiny, and be honest about its data retention policies. The piece concludes with a call for greater accountability and transparency from Telegram, likening the situation to a car manufacturer falsely claiming that safety features work.

- Pavel Durov is accused of facilitating criminal activities through Telegram.

- Telegram is criticized for misleading users about its security and data retention practices.

- An undocumented API raises concerns about unauthorized access to group chats.

- The article questions Durov's motivations for leaving Russia and his ties to the FSB.

- Calls for Telegram to improve transparency and security measures are emphasized.