A Russian Telegram clone, which had leaked data to the FSB, announced it was shutting down
The creators of an unofficial Telegram messenger client called “Telega” have officially announced that the project will be completely shut down as of July 1.
The developers cited external restrictions imposed by technology platforms and the removal of the app from the App Store as the main reasons for shutting down the service.
In addition, the administration acknowledged that it was impossible to ensure full localization and compliance with all applicable requirements.
Aggressive promotion of the spy app began in the fall of 2025 amid large-scale restrictions imposed by Roskomnadzor against the original Telegram.
At that time, Russian government officials blocked the media platform’s voice communication services within the country.
Russian entrepreneurs Fanis Sadikov and Alexander Smirnov positioned their product as a unique tool that allows users to easily bypass blocks and make calls without interference.
Thanks to successful marketing and an artificially created communication shortage, the service had attracted over 5 million users by March 2026. The app even ranked first in terms of downloads on the Google Play Store.
However, behind the facade of a convenient messaging app lay a massive surveillance system created by Russian intelligence agencies to exercise total control over citizens’ digital lives.
Russia claimed to have shot down 660 drones during the most massive attack since the start of the war
Russia could rebuild its military to counter a new NATO threat within 5–7 years – Foreign Affairs
