The designer of the Telegram messaging app has begun the legal process of opening a representative workplace in Russia, media reported Thursday.The relocation comes almost four years after Russia passed legislation requiring foreign tech companies to develop a physical presence in the country or face legal charges, consisting of advertising bans and outright blocks.While companies like Google and TikTok have complied to differing degrees, Telegram, founded by Russian-born business owner Pavel Durov, has so far stopped short of opening a regional office.According to tech outlet Hi-Tech Mail, a brand-new entry on the state interactions guard dog Roskomnadzors registry reveals Telegram Messenger, Inc.
s workplace registration as under approval.
It is not clear when the application was submitted.Until now, Telegram had taken minimal actions to abide by Russian localization laws, consisting of registering an account with Roskomnadzor and releasing a user feedback type.
The messaging platform is widely utilized in Russia, being popular amongst state authorities, pro-Kremlin figures and opposition voices alike.Some analysts speculated that the timing of the relocation might coincide with Russias press to present a state-sponsored copycat of Telegram.Starting in September, a brand-new law signed by President Vladimir Putin will need all individual electronic devices sold in Russia to include a pre-installed national messenger.
That role is expected to be filled by Max, a state-backed super-app under development by the tech huge VK.Roskomnadzor decreased to validate Telegrams strategies, stating it had no info on the matter and postponing additional remark to the business itself, according to the Telegram news channel Ostorozhno Novosti.IT expert Alexander Isavnin informed the outlet that registration with Roskomnadzor doesnt always show voluntary cooperation, citing TikToks registration as an example of Russian state-initiated compliance.Telegram, which touts its file encryption and self-reliance from federal government impact, has actually not commented openly on the workplace registration.