Telegram expands into Kazakhstan with new office to strengthen compliance

Telegram is opening an office in Kazakhstan to boost its local compliance with the country’s legal framework.

The country’s laws now require social media platforms to appoint representatives and establish physical offices within their borders.

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, Baglan Madiyev, confirmed that Telegram is actively cooperating with the government.

The company will work closely with local authorities to block harmful channels and remove illegal content more efficiently. Madiyev emphasized that this collaboration is crucial for improving digital safety and security for Kazakh citizens.

Policy shift amid broader changes

Telegram’s move into Kazakhstan comes during a period of major changes for the platform. Recent pressures from various governments have pushed the platform into being more cooperative, especially concerning illegal content and data security.

In light of these demands, Telegram has adjusted its policies to comply with government requests for user data when necessary. This is a notable change in the company’s prior hands-off approach to working with law enforcement.

Pavel Durov, Telegram’s CEO, is faced with a series of legal troubles with serious implications for the platform’s operations.

He was arrested and released on a €5 million bail in France, where he is now barred from leaving. As part of his bail conditions, he must report to the police twice a week.

His legal team has dismissed the charges as baseless and insists Durov has nothing to hide. If convicted though, he would face significant penalties, which will likely have long-term effects on Telegram’s leadership.

Durov is also dealing with allegations of abuse from his former partner, who claims he mistreated their youngest son between 2021 and 2022. She has filed a criminal complaint in Switzerland, accusing him of both physical and psychological abuse.

New features and initiatives for Telegram users

Amid the legal drama, Telegram is still rolling out new functionalities designed to engage users and make the platform more interactive.

One of the latest features is a gifting system, where users can send animated gifts that convert into “Stars.” These Stars can be displayed on user profiles or used to purchase services in mini-apps.

Additionally, the platform has introduced a verification service that allows businesses to verify phone numbers at a cost of $0.01 per verification.

This tool is reportedly designed to increase trust between users and businesses by ensuring secure communication.

With the feature, Telegram is stepping up its role as a reliable platform for both casual users and companies alike.

Another important addition is the revamped reporting interface, which now incorporates AI-driven capabilities. Users can submit more detailed reports in real-time.

The platform has also improved video chat functionalities for iOS users, focusing on performance upgrades and better battery optimization.

In response to increasing demand for live-streaming options, Telegram now supports RTMP streaming, allowing users to broadcast live content through custom stream keys.