Russian Authorities Detail Telegram Data Theft Ring Targeting Military, Security Personnel

Russian cyber police have exposed a network of illicit services operating within the Telegram messaging app, used by foreign call centers to compile detailed dossiers on military and security personnel. According to a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' cybercrime unit, these services, commonly known as 'information lookup' channels, were harvesting personal data to build comprehensive digital profiles.

The collected information went far beyond basic details, reportedly including addresses, phone numbers, and sensitive data on family members. Authorities state this information was intended for use in planning sabotage, terrorist acts, and other illegal operations against service members, law enforcement officers, and government officials.

This case highlights an ongoing conflict between Russian regulators and Telegram. Roskomnadzor, the state communications watchdog, has repeatedly warned that the platform hosts thousands of channels enabling unauthorized access to personal data. The regulator asserts that Telegram's infrastructure systematically supports this illegal trade in Russian citizens' private information. While the platform removed over 8,300 such services at the regulator's request since 2022, approximately 100 more were blocked this year alone. Telegram's operations remain officially restricted within Russia.

Source: Lenta.RU