Blamed for unrest, Telegram blocked in Iran
Tehran, May 1: Encrypted messaging platform Telegram has been blocked in Iran, highlighting the regime's concern over its role in organizing widespread unrest that has rippled through the country in recent months, the media reported.
More than 40 million Iranians, which is half of the country's population, use the popular messaging platform to communicate.
"Using the app was prohibited under a ruling by a Tehran-based court," The Wall Street Journal reported late on Monday.
When the ban is implemented, Telegram will join the likes of social media giant Facebook and micro-blogging site Twitter that were banned in Iran.
Meanwhile, Russian telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor on Sunday banned a number of Google IP addresses that allow Telegram to escape blockage in Russia over user data disputes.
"Google failed to meet the requirements of Roskomnadzor and in violation of a court verdict continued to allow Telegram to use its IP addresses to carry out activities in Russia," Roskomnadzor said in a statement cited by Xinhua news agency.
Roskomnadzor began blocking Telegram in accordance with a court decision due to the messenger's refusal to provide encryption keys necessary to decode user data.
However, Telegram managed to bypass the blocking and continued its activities using IP addresses belonging to Google and other technology companies.
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“Mistake owing to communication gap,” MLA Yatnal clarifies over alleged derogatory speech on Prophet
Vijayapura: Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has denied making any derogatory statement about Prophet Muhammad, clarifying that there was a misstatement during his speech at a Ram Navami event in Hubballi. "I did not speak about Prophet Muhammad. I meant to refer to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, but there was a mistake in the speed of speech," he said addressing reporters on Monday.
He alleged that members of the Congress, frustrated by their hooliganism and failure to collect their hafta (extortion) in Vijayapura are using the Prophet as an excuse to speak against me. “There is no culture of denigrating another religion in Hinduism. Our gurus and elders have not taught us that,” he said.
Responding to another controversy involving an audio clip in which he was allegedly threatened, Yatnal said the police are investigating the matter and that those behind it will soon be exposed. “No one can finish me. The Hindus of Karnataka are with me. If someone tries to finish me, the whole state will rise in protest,” he warned.
