Pavel Durov has alleged that Reliance’s network (AS18101) used BGP hijacking to disrupt access to Telegram for users in India and abroad, including UAE. He warned operators to block unauthorised routing announcements. Reliance and Meta/WhatsApp connection was also mentioned in his post, though claims remain unverified and under scrutiny widely shared online.
When most people think of censorship or sabotage online, they picture firewalls, blocked URLs, or government orders to app stores. But a far more powerful, and far less understood method of disrupting internet traffic has been thrust into the spotlight this week, after Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has now allegedly accused Indian telecom giant Reliance of using a technique called BGP hijacking to cut off access to Telegram for millions of users not just in India, but across the UAE and beyond. Sources suggest that these claims are largely unfounded, as the screenshots shared by Durov mention Reliance Communications and not Reliance Jio. Indian mobile network provider Reliance Communications has been insolvent since 2019.
What did Durov say Reliance did?
In a post that has since gone viral across the tech and telecom world, Durov wrote, "Indian telecom Reliance is sabotaging access to Telegram for millions of users outside India (including the UAE) via a rogue method called BGP hijacking. The sabotage seems intentional, as Reliance has ignored multiple reports. This may be part of a competitive war, as Reliance is partially owned by Meta, the company behind WhatsApp. Network operators are advised to reject unauthorised BGP announcements from Reliance (AS18101) to prevent route hijacks and ensure stable Internet access for their users. Such abuse of global Internet routing is alarming. I wouldn't be surprised if Reliance/WhatsApp were also behind the recent lobbying effort to ban Telegram in India."
The accusation is explosive on multiple fronts. It names one of India's most powerful conglomerates. It invokes Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Telegram's most direct competitor globally. And it implies that a private company may have weaponised the backbone of the global internet for competitive gain.
-
Mandatory World Cup hydration breaks disrupting attacking rhythm across North America – the evidence revealed
-
Austria vs Jordan preview: Class divide could spell early World Cup trouble
-
Golden opportunity for a government job in Delhi; DSSSB announces recruitment for various posts; check the last date
-
Aligarh Shines in UP B.Ed Entrance Exam; Nitin Pachauri Secures Second Rank Statewide
-
Summer Holidays Extended in UP Schools; Classes to Resume on June 25
