“Secret servers and shadow access”: Telegram accused of FSB ties in new investigation

Tengrinews.kz – Telegram, the popular messaging app founded by Pavel Durov, has come under renewed scrutiny after an investigation by Russian media outlet Important Stories alleged deep ties between the platform’s infrastructure and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

The report claims that while Durov has publicly cultivated the image of a staunch privacy advocate, the reality behind Telegram’s operations tells a different story. According to the investigation, key components of Telegram’s server infrastructure are managed by companies with known affiliations to Russian intelligence, raising concerns about potential access to user data.

The investigation reveals that much of Telegram’s backend is controlled by GNM, a company registered in Antigua and Barbuda and reportedly owned by Russian national Vladimir Vedeneev. Vedeneev is said to have had privileged access to servers in the U.S., signed contracts on Telegram’s behalf, and oversaw hardware processing user traffic. He is also linked to Russian companies Globalnet and Electrontelecom, which allegedly provide surveillance infrastructure for the FSB.

Furthermore, Telegram’s network traffic is reportedly routed through IP addresses associated with Russian government-linked entities. Device identifiers are transmitted unencrypted, posing what experts describe as a "significant surveillance risk".

Contrary to Durov’s public statements that he left Russia in 2014 and has since remained abroad, leaked data from Russian border services suggests that he has entered the country more than 50 times since then. The report also alleges that Telegram’s Dubai headquarters has been inactive for over three years.

The article also sheds light on Durov’s financial situation following the collapse of his blockchain project TON, which was banned by U.S. regulators. As a result, Durov allegedly owes investors - some linked to Russian oligarchs and intelligence agencies - around $2 billion.

Telegram responded to the allegations via a statement to Deutsche Welle, asserting that none of its service providers have access to its confidential infrastructure or user data.

"All servers are owned and operated by Telegram staff," the company said.

It added that Telegram maintains contracts with multiple service providers globally and has never disclosed private messages to any third party, nor has its encryption ever been compromised.

In a previous interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, Durov defended Telegram’s privacy standards, stating that the app does not collect personal user data and conducts regular audits. He emphasized that Telegram found ways to monetize without compromising user rights, distancing the platform from data-reliant tech giants like Meta.

Durov was briefly detained in France in August 2024 on charges including refusal to comply with official data requests. He was later released on bail and, in spring 2025, left France for the UAE after a court ruling.

As the debate over privacy and state surveillance intensifies, these revelations, if verified, could reshape public perception of one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms.