Telegram Founder Accuses Meta and Reliance of BGP Hijacking in India

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, accused Reliance, partially owned by Meta, of sabotaging access to Telegram via BGP hijacking. He claimed this disruption affects millions of users outside India, particularly in the UAE. Durov suggested that Reliance's actions may be part of a competitive strategy to benefit WhatsApp, leading to a recent ban on Telegram in India during a medical exam period. Reliance denied these allegations, asserting compliance with global internet routing standards. The Indian government has also taken regulatory actions against Telegram, including a temporary ban and restrictions on its features. Durov's claims lack concrete evidence, and industry sources have dismissed them as misinformation. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between messaging platforms and telecom providers in India.

Key Points: • Pavel Durov alleges BGP hijacking by Reliance to disrupt Telegram access. • The disruption reportedly affects millions of users outside India, including in the UAE. • Reliance denies the allegations, claiming adherence to global routing standards.