Telegram announces it is restricting access to Russian election-related bots — one of the main ways Team Navalny had been disseminating its Smart Voting recommendations after Apple/Google deleted his app from their app stores.
t.me/durov_russia/32
t.me/durov_russia/32
In a convoluted post, Telegram founder Pavel Durov attacks the "oligopoly" of Apple/Google as well as Russia’s restrictions on free speech and claims Telegram is the most free social platform. But says he will abide by rules mandating a "blackout" on campaigning after polls open
Durov — who himself fought Russian censors for 2yrs as the Kremlin tried to block access to the messenger — announced the decision 4 minutes before he blocked the Smart Voting bot, adding that he was happy “millions of Russians had the opportunity” to use it
As @maxseddon highlights, also an interesting stand for Durov to take given the very hands-off/libertarian philosophy he has cultivated for Telegram in general over the years
https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1438980916630728707
Meanwhile fake “spoiler” bots using the same name are still active and accessible
https://twitter.com/michaelnacke/status/1438982154952794114
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