Russia to ban Telegram messenger service over encryption dispute

A Russian court on Friday ruled to ban popular instant messaging service 'Telegram' over its failure to provide access to the Russian security services to users' encrypted messages.

"The court ruled to satisfy the demand of Roskomnadzor," Judge Yulia Smolina said.

The access to Telegram will be denied and there won't be technical conditions for sending messages, reported the Russian news agency TASS.

The judge further observed that the court's verdict ought to be implemented instantly.

Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications and technology watchdog, had demanded that the app be blocked.

It took the court all of 18 minutes to grant the request, after scheduling the hearing just one day before, according to the reports.