Investigation: Who Controls Telegram’s Infrastructure

Telegram promotes itself as a secure messenger, but an investigation has revealed that its infrastructure is linked to companies serving Russian intelligence services. Specifically, server, router, and IP address management used by Telegram is handled by Global Network Management, a company registered in Antigua and Barbuda. Its owner, Vladimir Vedeneev, originally from Tolyatti, previously headed the telecom operator Globalnet.

In U.S. court filings, Vedeneev stated that his company services Telegram’s servers and that he simultaneously served as the messenger’s CFO and the CEO of GNM. According to his testimony, he alone had authorized access to the equipment, including a data center in Miami. Furthermore, half of GNM’s staff works in Russia, and Telegram’s infrastructure partially relies on networks and IP addresses previously owned by Globalnet.

Globalnet itself has strong ties to Russian entities that provide technical support to security agencies. One of its shareholders is Roman Venediktov, a graduate of the Mozhaisky Military Space Academy and a former employee of a defense division of the Ministry of Defense. He worked with the Durov family in the 2010s, including via the company Peering, which handled traffic for VKontakte.

Later, Globalnet and Peering merged to form one of Europe’s largest peering networks — DATAIX. The network serves numerous providers, including in Ukraine and Belarus. According to official statements, Globalnet had exclusive access to Telegram in Russia and the CIS and was among the first to implement Deep Packet Inspection under Roskomnadzor’s directive in 2022.

In addition, Globalnet holds contracts with several state enterprises, including the Main Scientific Information Computing Center (GlavNIVTs) of the Presidential Administration, linked to the FSB and FSO. This structure handles analysis of citizens' internet activity, develops facial recognition surveillance systems, and coordinates special operations.

Another company owned by Vedeneev, Electrontelecom, provided over 5,000 IP addresses to Telegram and also works for the FSB, servicing information transmission systems used in surveillance operations. These facts suggest potential access by Russian intelligence services to Telegram’s network traffic via its technical contractors.

A technical analysis conducted by experts confirms vulnerabilities in Telegram’s protocol. Specifically, user messages include device identifiers (auth_key_id) transmitted in unencrypted form. This allows entities controlling traffic routes to trace user connections, identify IP addresses and devices. With access to infrastructure, this poses a risk of obtaining confidential information without hacking or physical device access.

Former Telegram employees claim they were unaware of Vedeneev’s involvement. However, court documents confirm his central role in managing the messenger’s technical resources. Given the revealed ties to Russian security agencies, these facts raise doubts about Telegram’s independence and security.

It was also found that Pavel Durov, despite public statements, visited Russia regularly, especially during financial hardships. After the U.S. banned the TON cryptocurrency project, Durov owed investors, including Russian businessmen and entities linked to raw materials from occupied Ukrainian territories. In 2021, Telegram received funding from VTB, Alfa Capital, and Aton. Almost simultaneously, Roskomnadzor lifted the ban on Telegram’s operations in Russia.

The question of Telegram’s true independence remains open. Durov’s public image as a defender of freedom and privacy contrasts with the practical transfer of server infrastructure control to individuals connected to Russian intelligence and state bodies. This raises concerns about user data protection and the potential for external surveillance and activity analysis within the messenger.

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