Telega pulled from App Store amid data interception concerns

Telega, an alternative client for the Telegram messenger, has disappeared from Apple’s App Store.

The reasons for its removal are unknown, and the app’s developers have not commented on the situation, Caliber.Az reports, citing international media.

In March, an online investigation revealed that Telega’s creators had activated hidden functionality allowing them to intercept all data between their app and Telegram’s servers.

Since the end of that month, Telegram has begun marking accounts using unofficial clients.

Telegram is frequently referenced in global news for its role in messaging, especially in regions with strict internet controls.

Earlier, its founder, ‌Pavel Durov, said that Russia's attempt to block Virtual Private Networks (VPN) triggered a problem with a domestic payment system, adding that tens of millions of Russians were resisting ​digital controls.

Russia has repeatedly blocked mobile internet and granted sweeping powers ​to cut off mass communications while jamming messenger services and VPNs in ⁠what diplomats have called a "great crackdown".

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov