Telegram was removed from the iOS App Store worldwide on Monday night, making the popular messaging app unavailable for new downloads on Apple devices.
The removal follows charges brought by Russia’s domestic security agency against Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing him of aiding terrorism and placing him on an international wanted list.
The charges were announced as Russian authorities intensified restrictions on the messaging platform, which remains one of the most widely used communication services in the country.
Shortly after the announcement, Telegram’s official account on X posted an image of Durov making an obscene gesture; neither Durov nor the company issued an immediate comment.
Searches for Telegram in the App Store now return alternative apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Truth Social, but the Telegram listing is absent.
Users who already have the app installed report that it continues to function on their devices despite its removal from the store.
Telegram is a cloud‑based, cross‑platform messaging service that was the most downloaded app worldwide in 2021 and now reports over a billion monthly active users.
Earlier in the week the platform posted a message referencing anticipation for a major video‑game release, illustrating its ongoing engagement with its user base.
