**Kremlin Tries to Clamp Down on Telegram, Accusing Founder of Aiding Terrorism** In a shocking move, Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation against Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, on charges of "aiding terrorism." This latest development is the latest salvo in Moscow's long-standing battle against the app, which has been a thorn in the side of the Kremlin's attempts to control online discourse. Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur who holds dual citizenship and lives abroad, announced the news on Telegram itself, accusing authorities of fabricating reasons to limit citizens' access to the app. The move is seen as an escalation of the government's efforts to restrict Telegram and WhatsApp, the country's two most popular messaging services. The authorities are pushing users to switch to Max, a state-backed alternative that critics say lacks robust security features. The charges against Durov are nothing new, with Russian regulators having demanded that he grant backdoor access to the FSB, the country's security agency, for years. Telegram has consistently refused, citing concerns about user privacy. Now, the government is using allegations of "terrorism" to justify its actions, citing alleged links between Telegram and extremist groups. This is a familiar playbook for the Kremlin, which has used accusations of "terrorism" and "extremism" to silence critics and dissenting voices, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite the tensions, Telegram remains a widely used platform in Russia, serving not only as a messaging service but also as a social media platform. The Kremlin itself has an active presence on Telegram, publishing updates daily, and has vowed to keep its official account operational. The implications of this move are significant, as it highlights the ongoing struggle between the government and civil society for control over online spaces. As the country's most popular messaging service, Telegram has become a key battleground in this fight, with the government seeking to restrict its operations and the public pushing back against efforts to limit their online freedoms.