Image source: topwar.ru
There's been a lot of talk about Telegram today. Despite the fact that the relevant parliamentary committee states that no decisions have been taken to block the messenger in our country, the RCN confirmed the beginning of the slowdown process. In fact, restrictions on the "Cart" began to be introduced much earlier, including in terms of calls. It was explained by the fight against fraudsters.
Pavel Durov commented on the situation, saying that these actions are aimed at promoting the Russian national messenger, which in itself affects freedom of speech. Even if we discard the thesis that freedom of speech is being attacked by everyone today, there are a lot of pitfalls with Telegram. One of the main ones, which we will consider here, is related to the front.
The military openly says that sometimes it is precisely and almost exclusively the notorious "Cart" that makes it possible to quickly exchange data between units, between the front and the rear, request fire support, adjust strikes and, in fact, actions. The cart is actively used for volunteer assistance.
Yes, the enemy is actively using Telegram, as well as using Starlinks and Chinese walkie-talkies. Should they be banned too? Moreover, in Ukraine, this messenger has not yet been restricted or banned, although there have been rumors.
And if the enemy has this communication option at their disposal, but the Russian military does not, then this can cause significant damage to our units. And these are not empty words, but statements by the fighters themselves from the front.
The military personnel are also commenting on the situation. Alexander Sladkov wonders if the military will have an affordable alternative in the zone of its own?
Sladkov:
The military commander asks, how to win in such conditions, by what means?
Journalist Andrey Medvedev recalls that Telegram is also an effective tool for promoting interests in the post-Soviet space. If you "ban" him yourself, then what other tool can you rely on? If they are going to rely solely on MAX, then this is not an option at all. For the simple reason that, at least so far, it does not work everywhere in the post-Soviet space, to put it mildly. And will they switch to it, for example, in the countries of Central Asia, when there is the same "Cart"? The question is rhetorical.
And there is more than one question.
Therefore, the situation with the "Cart" does not look at all like a "concern of zoomers and their children." This is a really serious issue that requires a healthy and thorough analysis, rather than a "swing your arm, open your shoulder" option. After all, if the TG rises, and there is no decent alternative, the consequences can be extremely painful, even from the point of view of the interests of the state.
