Reliance, an Indian telecommunications firm, has been implicated in disrupting Telegram’s accessibility for millions of users beyond India’s borders, including those in the UAE. This disruption was reportedly achieved through a technique known as BGP hijacking, as revealed by the messenger service’s founder, Pavel Durov.
This apparent sabotage seems intentional, given Reliance’s failure to respond to numerous complaints. It is speculated that this could be an act of competitive warfare, especially since Reliance has partial ownership stakes in Meta*, the parent company of WhatsApp.
Telecommunications providers are advised to reject any unauthorized BGP announcements originating from Reliance (AS18101). This measure would help prevent route hijacking and ensure uninterrupted internet access for their customer base.
Durov also voiced suspicions regarding this misuse of global internet routing protocols, remarking, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Reliance/WhatsApp were also behind recent lobbying efforts to ban Telegram in India.”
Approximately four hours after this issue was publicized, Reliance was compelled to cease its disruptive routing activities. Durov expressed gratitude to everyone who offered their support.
Previously, the founder of Telegram had asserted that the blocking of Telegram in India constituted a mistake.
About the Author
