Ask HN: Why has Telegram been blocked in Russia, but WhatsApp hasn't? 4 points by fwdpropaganda 8y ago ↗ HN
[–] fwdpropaganda 8y ago ↗ To be clear: I'm asking about what HN thinks is the real reason, not the officially stated reason.
[–] ariehkovler 8y ago ↗ If I had to guess:* Telegram's large groups/channels make collaboration easier and more of a threat.* WhatsApp users who are are all identifiable to the Russian state via their phone numbers; Telegram allows users to interact anonymously.* Telegram is more widely-used in Russia.* Telegram is Russian, so could be more susceptible to political pressure from the Russian authorities.
[–] anizan 8y ago ↗ List of countries which block Telegram but not WhatsApp1.Russia2.Egypt (signal is blocked too but why not whatsapp claims to use same encryption layer)3.Iran
3 comments
[ 2.3 ms ] story [ 14.5 ms ] thread* Telegram's large groups/channels make collaboration easier and more of a threat.
* WhatsApp users who are are all identifiable to the Russian state via their phone numbers; Telegram allows users to interact anonymously.
* Telegram is more widely-used in Russia.
* Telegram is Russian, so could be more susceptible to political pressure from the Russian authorities.
1.Russia
2.Egypt (signal is blocked too but why not whatsapp claims to use same encryption layer)
3.Iran