Telegram (Better Than WhatsApp) and Pavel Durov

Nobody in the West drives a Russian car or uses a Russian computer. You’d have to be crazy: even Russians prefer BMWs and Apple. But if you’re smart, your iPhone and MacBook have at least one Russian app installed, powered by Russian technology. This name of this app is Telegram.

Goodbye WhatsApp

In 2020, WhatsApp reached the milestone of two billion users, which the company (owned by Facebook since 2014) said made them humbled and honored. But there was little humility to be seen in the new terms of service the messaging app announced barely a year later. The changes basically boiled down to two choices: either give up more of your privacy (as your personal data would now be shared with Facebook), or stop using the app.

Delayed due to ‘confusion’ (NRC, 16-01-2021) or due to controversy and misunderstandings (iCulture, 16-01-2021), but the damage (or rather, the good) was already done. Masses of new users for Signal and Russia’s Telegram. (More about WhatsApp below.)

Telegram on the Rise

The year started off well for Pavel Durov (1984), founder (along with his brother Nikolai, 1980) of both VK) and Telegram). On January 12, he announced that Telegram had gained 25 million users in just three days.

In two sentences, he gave both an explanation and a jab: “People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services. They no longer want to be held hostage by tech monopolies that seem to think they can get away with anything as long as their apps have a critical mass of users.”

Telegram’s valuation also saw an instant boost. See Telegram at $30bln. Telegram capitalizes on problems at WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter (The Bell, 26-01-2021).

Pavel Durov

More about Pavel Durov in:

• Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov has yet again slammed WhatsApp for its encryption standards (moneycontrol, 2020, 1 m)
• The Incredible Life of Pavel Durov – Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg (Alux, 2019, 15 m), from the same channel: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Pavel Durov (2018, 13 m)
• Pavel Durov of Telegram: WhatsApp Sucks (TechCrunch, 2015, 20 m)

And below; also see The eccentric life of Pavel Durov – Russia’s ‘Mark Zuckerberg’ (Business Insider, 2018).

The Story of Pavel Durov | Russian Father of Telegram and VK
(DW Shift, 2020, 6 m)

Telegram vs Signal

Telegram enables users more than just send messages and make (video) calls. You can also send large files with it, follow groups and channels (including for learning Russian), and much more. Because Telegram is widespread in Russia, you’ll find a lot (a lot) of Russian-themed content.

In terms of security, Telegram (according to Vice, not as secure as you think) might lose out to Signal, which is recommended by Edward Snowden and Elon Musk. On the other hand, Signal always requires a phone number, while on Telegram you can register with just a username.

• Signal vs Telegram: Which Should You Choose? (LaterClips, 2021, 6 m)
• Telegram – Can it Beat WhatsApp? (Business Disruptors, 2020, 9 m)
• Why You Should (Not?) Use Telegram (Shoot the Messenger, 2020, 8 m)
• 10 Reasons Why Telegram is Better Than WhatsApp (PixelGrid, 2018, 5 m)
• Telegram for Business: 10 Reasons You Need It (Cleveroad, 2017, 4 m)

Ten Reasons You Should Shift to Telegram | The Most Secure Messaging App
(Hack Trivia, 2016, 2 m)

Ban and Exile

Both Telegram and the Durov brothers are sources of pride for Russia, or so you’d think. In reality, the Russian Federation tried to ban Telegram in 2018 – only to realize two years later it was pointless.

2018

• Russia’s Attempt to Ban Pavel Durov’s Telegram App (NowThis, 2018, 7 m)
• Russia Bans Telegram After 18-Minute Hearing (Futurism, 2018, 2 m)
• Russians Protest Telegram Ban (TRT World, 2018, 2 m)
• Russia: Second Rally Against Telegram Ban in Moscow (Ruptly, 2018, 1 m)

See also ‘Privacy Is Not for Sale’ – Telegram CEO Blasts Russia’s Decision to Ban Messaging App (The Moscow Times, 2018).

2020

• Russia lifts its ban on the Telegram messenger app (The Verge, 2020)
• What’s Behind Russia’s Decision to Ditch its Ban on Telegram? (Atlantic Council, 2020)

2014

Trouble between Durov and the state had already begun earlier, partly after Durov refused to remove Alexei Navalny’s VK page. He left (or fled) Russia in 2014 (see also here) and owns (because he bought) a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport. Telegram was further developed outside Russia, and servers and offices are located in London and Dubai. 

No. 1 Disrupter: Pavel Durov
(Politico Europe, 2020, 2 m)

Update 2024-2025

2024: Durov’s arrest in France

Durov encountered more and bigger legal trouble – in France, this time – in 2024. On August 24 of that year, he was arrested at Le Bourget Airport, on charges of (among other things) complicity (through Telegram) in the distribution of child abuse material and drug sales. Even after paying a substantial bail, he was initially barred from leaving the country. He was finally able to do so in March 2025. Remarkably, Durov now received considerable support from Russia. More at

• Arrest and indictment of Pavel Durov (Wikipedia)
• Why Pavel Durov’s Detention Shook Both the Russian Opposition and Putin’s Regime (Moscow Times, 26-08-2024)
• Telegram chief Durov released on €5 million bail, forbidden to leave France (France24, 29-08-2024)
• Kremlin Warns France Against “Political Persecution” Of Telegram Founder (Agence France-Presse, 29-08-2024)
• France hands Telegram CEO Pavel Durov preliminary charges over alleged criminal activity on the app (CBS News, 29-08-2025)
• Telegram founder allowed to leave France after arrest (Telegraph, 15-03-2025)

2025: Max promotion

Russian users love their Telegram, but the Russian state certainly does not. It prefers everyone to use MAX: a new app the state itself has been closely involved in developing, and can easily monitor. For “promotion,” Telegram and WhatsApp are actively disrupted, and MAX is mandatory for many government officials, teachers and employees of state institutions. For many others, MAX is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. More at

• Russian MAX messenger users reach 18 mln (Interfax, 19-08-2025)
• Russia orders state-backed Max messenger app to be pre-installed on new phones (The Guardian, 21-08-2025)
• Everything You Need to Know About Max, Russia’s State-Backed Answer to WhatsApp (Moscow Times, 28-08-2025)
• Putin Has a New Tool to Monitor Russians (The Atlantic, 11-10-2025)
• Russia Pushes a State-Controlled ‘Super App’ by Sabotaging Its Rivals (New York Times, 21-10-2025)
• How (…) MAX is gradually being made obligatory in Russian schools (The Geopost, 14-12-2025)

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Last updated December 16, 2025