Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticised India's temporary restrictions on the platform, saying the move affected over 150 million users without stopping leaked content or fraud. He argued that such activities simply shifted to other apps. The curbs were imposed ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination amid concerns over fake paper leak claims.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov on Tuesday criticised India’s temporary restrictions on the messaging platform, saying the move had 'punished' more than 150 million ordinary users in the country while failing to stop the spread of leaked content and fraud.

Reacting to the Centre’s decision to temporarily block access to Telegram ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, Durov said the restrictions merely pushed such activities to other platforms instead of solving the problem.

“The ban has not stopped anything. The leaks simply moved to other apps,” Durov said, while responding to the Indian government’s action against Telegram-linked examination fraud.

India Imposes Temporary Ban On Telegram