Apple Has Stopped Approving Telegram for iOS Updates

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Posted May 31, 2018 at 3:14pm by iClarified

Apple has stopped approving Telegram for iOS updates globally, according to CEO Pavel Durov.

In a statement posted today, Durov notes that no updates have been approved ever since Russia ordered Apple to remove the messaging app from the App Store because it wouldn't provide decryption keys to its user's communications.

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Unfortunately, some Telegram features, such as stickers, don’t work correctly under iOS 11.4 that was just released – even though we fixed this issue weeks ago.

Apple has been preventing Telegram from updating its iOS apps globally ever since the Russian authorities ordered Apple to remove Telegram from the App Store. Russia banned Telegram on its territory in April because we refused to provide decryption keys for all our users’ communications to Russia’s security agencies. We believe we did the only possible thing, preserving the right of our users to privacy in a troubled country.

Unfortunately, Apple didn’t side with us. While Russia makes up only 7% of Telegram’s userbase, Apple is restricting updates for all Telegram users around the world since mid-April. As a result, we’ve also been unable to fully comply with GDPR for our EU-users by the deadline of May 25, 2018. We are continuing our efforts to resolve the situation and will keep you updated.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
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Apple has yet to comment on the matter. You can download Telegram Messenger from the App Store for free. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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Apple Has Stopped Approving Telegram for iOS Updates

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jasatan - June 2, 2018 at 1:00pm

Update from Durov’s Channel 🎉 Amazing news – Apple has just successfully reviewed our latest update for Telegram iOS, and we were able to ship a new version with long awaited fixes and improvements to the AppStore. Thank you, Apple! 🍏

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cwerwaiss - June 1, 2018 at 9:53pm

Must have figured it out with Apple because new update just hit App Store

nitemare2123 - June 1, 2018 at 4:43pm

I don't understand this. I thought telegrams went away when carrier pigeons were not being used anymore.

Yashiroo - June 1, 2018 at 8:25am

And this deafening silence of Apple is utterly appalling. For the first time I am seriously considering to switch to Android though first I need an official response/excuse from Apple. This double standard dealing with FBI versus Russia's security agencies is horrendous.

elto - May 31, 2018 at 7:05pm

Can exploits be injected into the app during an update?

D4xM4Nx - May 31, 2018 at 4:52pm

Apple: Don't you forget for one split second WHO put you in the place you're right now - us costumers. Your best of interests lie with us all, not corrupt governments only focused on stealing/keeping scared/lying to/manipulating their people. Freedom of expression is a right, not a privilege. First WhatsApp became Facebook's cesspool, then Telegram might have its days numbered... until we act.

LongBeach - May 31, 2018 at 4:15pm

No problem. Users with security and privacy concerns will simply either move to an Android phone or carry two phones.

Camfella - May 31, 2018 at 3:37pm

I thought Apple stood up for privacy, at least in public, what’s the story here?

LongBeach - May 31, 2018 at 4:18pm

I agreed. Something or someone may have spooked Tim Cook - I really hope it's not the case because I thought he was a privacy advocate. Maybe there is a simple explanation.