Telegram to establish office in Kazakhstan, enhancing compliance and regulatory communication

Telegram, which has recently come under scrutiny from regulators worldwide, is seeking to establish compliance. According to Kazakh news, Telegram is enhancing its compliance and communication with the Kazakh government, and has announced plans to establish a local office in Kazakhstan.

Kazakh Government Announces Telegram to Establish Local Office

Telegram has agreed to appoint a local representative and establish an office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as officially announced by the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry on October 14. According to Minister Zhaslan Madiyev, the establishment of a physical office by Telegram locally will help strengthen monitoring and management of the platform's content.

Madiyev stated, "This is an important step in controlling the content on the Telegram platform." The necessity of this measure stems from the high usage of the platform in Kazakhstan.

Telegram Boasts a Large User Base in Kazakhstan

Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, pointed out that currently, as many as 12.5 million users in Kazakhstan are using Telegram each month, which represents over half of the country's total population of 20 million. This figure has increased by 25% compared to 2023, demonstrating the platform's significance and influence in the region.

Kazakhstan Engages in Talks with U.S. Tech Companies on Data Protection and Fraud Issues

The announcement of Telegram establishing an office in Kazakhstan coincides with Kazakh officials meeting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several U.S. tech companies, including industry giants like Meta and Apple. During the meeting, Kazakh officials discussed issues related to data protection, combating social platform fraud, and fake accounts, particularly focusing on platforms like WhatsApp under Meta.

In Meta's third-quarter report for 2024, the company mentioned that it had globally blocked 1.2 billion fake accounts through artificial intelligence technology, showcasing its high emphasis on combating fraudulent activities.

Minister Madiyev of the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development emphasized that the government is closely cooperating with international partners to ensure the digital space's security for Kazakh citizens: "We are actively working with Telegram to swiftly remove illegal content and block illegal channels." According to Kazakh regulations, platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok are now required to appoint representatives locally.

Who is responsible for online fraud? Banks, Facebook turn a blind eye, UK government forces compensation from businesses.

Telegram Advances Compliance Globally, CEO Under Investigation in France

The decision for Telegram to establish an office in Kazakhstan reflects the platform's global push for stronger compliance measures, coinciding with founder Pavel Durov facing regulatory pressure in France.

Since late August 2023 when French authorities charged Durov with multiple offenses, Telegram has intensified its efforts to combat illegal activities on the platform. In September, Durov revealed that Telegram had provided IP addresses and phone numbers of users violating regulations to authorities as requested. Additionally, Durov mentioned that Telegram updated its search engine, removed some "problematic" content, and utilized artificial intelligence technology to identify illegal content.

Telegram's founder Pavel Durov faces serious charges: aiding illegal transactions and organized crime, maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

Although Telegram has not officially responded to this news, it indicates Telegram's proactive response to global regulatory pressures.