Crypto-friendly messenger Telegram is moving to improve compliance and communication with regulators in Kazakhstan by establishing a local office.
Telegram agreed to appoint a local representative and open an office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry said on Oct. 14.
According to Minister Zhaslan Madiyev, Telegram’s physical presence in the country will be an “important step to increase control over content” on the messaging platform.
The measure is significant given Telegram’s exposure in the country. According to Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, 12.5 million Kazakhs — more than half of the nation’s 20 million population — use Telegram each month, a 25% increase from 2023.
Kazakhstan meets with US gov’t, tech firms to address fraud
The announcement came as Kazakh officials met with the United States Chamber of Commerce and representatives from major US tech companies, including Meta and Apple.
At the meetings, Kazakh officials discussed issues related to data protection, combating fraud and fake accounts on social media platforms, such as Meta’s WhatsApp. Meta said it blocked 1.2 billion counterfeit accounts globally using artificial intelligence in the third quarter.
Kazakhstan’s meetings with the US Chamber of Commerce and US tech firms. Source: Gov.kz
According to Madiyev, the government of Kazakhstan has been working with international partners to ensure the safety of citizens in the digital space:
“We are actively cooperating with Telegram to promptly remove illegal content and block illicit channels. In accordance with our legislation, internet platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp and TikTok are now required to have a representative in Kazakhstan.”
Telegram increases compliance efforts amid Durov investigation in France
Telegram’s decision to open an office in Kazakhstan is part of its broader push for compliance, which comes as Durov faces scrutiny in France over the platform’s handling of illegal activities.
Since French authorities indicted Durov on multiple charges in late August, Telegram has increased efforts to combat illicit activity on the messenger app.
Related: Telegram has been disclosing user IPs since 2018, Durov says
In September, Durov said that Telegram was sharing the IP addresses and phone numbers of users who violate the app’s rules, when requested by relevant authorities.
Duro also said Telegram has updated its search engine, removing “problematic” content from search results and using AI to identify illicit content.
Telegram’s office in Kazakhstan is one of the company’s first set up to increase compliance. Cointelegraph approached Telegram for a comment but received no response by the time of publication.
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