Photo from Zhaslan Madiyev's social media
Telegram messenger is set to open an office in Kazakhstan, according to Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev. The announcement was made during a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and major American companies, as reported by the ministry's press service.
Madiyev highlighted that his department is actively collaborating with Telegram to swiftly remove illegal content and block destructive channels.
«In accordance with our legislation, internet platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok are now required to have a representative in Kazakhstan. An agreement has already been reached with Telegram regarding the appointment of their representative and the opening of an office,» the minister stated, describing the agreement with the messenger as a crucial step towards enhancing content control.
Telegram has long touted itself as one of the most secure messaging platforms, claiming not to disclose user information to third parties. However, in September, its founder Pavel Durov announced that Telegram would disclose users' IP addresses and phone numbers in response to justified requests from relevant authorities.
This past summer, Durov visited Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. During his trip to the Kazakh capital, the regulator of the Astana International Financial Center approved the commencement of trading in the Toncoin cryptocurrency.
This development marks a significant shift in Telegram's operations in the region and raises questions about user privacy and government oversight of digital platforms in Kazakhstan.
