Telegram CEO Accuses Reliance of BGP Hijacking Amidst India Ban
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has leveled serious allegations against Indian telecom giant Reliance, claiming the company used BGP hijacking to disrupt Telegram access for users outside India. These claims emerge during a period of heightened tension between the messaging platform and New Delhi following a temporary nationwide ban.
The Allegation: Understanding BGP Hijacking
Pavel Durov took to the X platform on June 16, 2026, to claim that Reliance was intentionally misrouting Telegram traffic through a practice known as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) hijacking. BGP serves as the digital map of the internet, directing data packets across interconnected networks to their correct destinations.
In a BGP hijacking scenario, a network falsely announces itself as the preferred route for specific traffic. This can cause data to be redirected, delayed, or dropped entirely. Durov specifically alleged that this "rogue method" was being used to sabotage Telegram access for users globally, including in the UAE. While technical anomalies can sometimes be identified in routing, proving deliberate sabotage remains a significant challenge, and Reliance has not yet publicly responded to these unverified claims.
Context of the Indian Government Ban
The controversy is intensified by the fact that Telegram is currently navigating a regulatory storm in India. On June 16, the Indian government implemented a temporary nationwide block on Telegram, scheduled to last until June 22. This action was taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act following recommendations from the National Testing Agency.
The government's stated objective was to protect the integrity of the NEET-UG medical entrance examinations. Authorities alleged that organized networks were using Telegram to circulate leaked exam materials and deceive students. Additionally, the government directed Telegram to disable certain message-editing functions until June 30 to prevent the manipulation of timestamps and evidence. While Durov argues these measures unfairly punish 150 million legitimate users, the Indian state maintains the intervention is a necessary step to prevent large-scale examination fraud.
Market Dynamics and Platform Competition
The disruption of Telegram has raised questions about the competitive landscape of messaging apps in India. While WhatsApp remains the dominant force in Indian digital communication and commerce, Telegram occupies a unique niche. Its massive channels, sophisticated file-sharing capabilities, and community-building tools make it a preferred platform for educators, traders, and content creators.
While a disruption might push marginal users toward WhatsApp, analysts suggest it is unlikely to trigger a wholesale shift in market dynamics because the two platforms serve different functional needs. However, the scrutiny Telegram faces regarding misinformation and illicit activity is part of a broader global trend where regulators are increasingly demanding higher compliance standards from encrypted messaging services.
What It Means for India
- Digital Sovereignty vs. Infrastructure Integrity: If allegations of BGP hijacking are ever substantiated, it would raise profound questions about the security and neutrality of India’s internet backbone and the potential for private entities to influence global data flows.
- Regulatory Precedent: The government’s use of the IT Act to curb exam fraud sets a significant precedent for how India will manage encrypted platforms when national interests—such as the integrity of public examinations—are at stake.
- Cybersecurity Vigilance: The incident underscores the need for enhanced monitoring of internet routing protocols within India to ensure that technical vulnerabilities are not exploited for commercial or competitive sabotage.