Pavel Durov: Russian Telegram Users ‘Enjoy More Freedom’ Than EU—Apple Delays New Year’s Update

  Key Takeaways

• Pavel Durov highlights a paradoxical situation where EU citizens face restrictions on access to certain Russian media.
• On the other hand, Russian users can still access Western media channels on Telegram.
• Durov also criticized Apple’s app review process for causing significant delays in Telegram updates.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticized the European Union’s media restrictions, arguing that Russian users enjoy greater freedom of access to information than their European counterparts.

He also accused Apple’s review process of slowing a Telegram app update, returning to attack the Cupertino-based company after criticizing its review process in 2022.

Russians Can Access Papers on Telegram

Pavel Durov has criticized media restrictions in the European Union. He pointed out what he described as greater freedom for Russian users than Europeans.

In a post on X  on Dec. 31, 2024, Durov stated: “Access to certain Russian media has been restricted in the EU under DSA/sanctions laws. Meanwhile, all Western media Telegram channels remain freely accessible in Russia.”

“Who would have thought that in 2025 Russian Telegram users would enjoy more freedom than European?” he added.

Durov’s comments reflect growing concerns about the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and sanctions to curb misinformation and block state-affiliated Russian channels.

EU’s DSA Impact

While the EU frames these measures as essential to maintaining the integrity of information, critics, including Durov, argue that they risk undermining the very principles of free expression.

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA)  impacts access to media by imposing strict regulations on digital platforms to curb disinformation and illegal content.

This could lead to censorship or restricted access to certain newspapers or media outlets in the EU, especially those that spread false information.

Under the new act, several Russian outlets are impossible to read in the EU. However, as Durov points out, Telegram, which operates with minimal content restrictions, continues to allow Western media channels to function freely in Russia.

Apple Review Process Issues

In addition to discussing regulatory disparities, Durov pointed out delays in Telegram’s latest update due to Apple’s app review process.

“We planned an epic New Year’s Eve update with unique gifts for our users. Unfortunately, it’s been stuck in Apple’s review process for a few days, and we still have no response from them,” he posted on X .

Durov criticized Apple  for the same reason in 2022. Then, he claimed that his app update had been stuck for two weeks without any explanation or feedback.

He expressed frustration over the “obscure” review process tech giants impose on all mobile apps. Durov noted that if Telegram, one of the top 10 global apps, faces delays, smaller developers likely encounter even more challenges, leading to significant financial losses.

He also pointed out the 30% commission Apple and Google take from developers, which is meant to cover the review process costs.