Network engineer working on server rack in a Network Operations Center.
Reliance Jio has formally denied allegations made by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who claimed the telecom giant was intentionally disrupting access to the messaging platform for users outside India through a technique known as BGP hijacking.
Durov had stated on Wednesday that Reliance Jio was allegedly sabotaging Telegram access for millions of users, including those in the UAE, by manipulating internet routing protocols. He further suggested a potential link between this alleged action and WhatsApp, a rival platform whose parent company, Meta, holds a stake in Jio.
In response, Reliance Jio issued a statement asserting its commitment to operating its network in line with global internet routing best practices, emphasizing reliability, security, and transparency. The company explicitly stated it was not involved in any such incident.
The controversy emerged shortly after India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) imposed a temporary restriction on Telegram until July 22. This measure was taken amid concerns regarding the potential misuse of the platform for leaking examination papers, specifically in relation to the NEET (UG) examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) had informed MeitY that organized groups were allegedly using Telegram to sell fake access to exam papers and spread misinformation.
Telegram has since challenged the government’s restriction in the Delhi High Court.
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