Reliance Jio has rejected allegations made by Telegram founder Pavel Durov that the telecom operator was sabotaging access to Telegram users outside India through BGP hijacking. Durov accused Jio of blocking millions of Telegram users, including those in the UAE, by manipulating Border Gateway Protocol routing. Jio issued a statement on X denying any involvement and affirmed its commitment to global internet routing standards and transparency, according to inc42.com.
The controversy began when Durov claimed that Jio failed to address reports of improper BGP configuration, which could disrupt internet traffic routes. He suggested the alleged sabotage was a coordinated effort between Jio and WhatsApp, whose parent company Meta holds a stake in Jio. Durov also warned network operators to reject unauthorized BGP announcements from Reliance to maintain stable internet access for users, as reported by inc42.com.
BGP hijacking involves manipulating routing information to redirect internet traffic, potentially causing outages or censorship. The allegations come amid ongoing tensions between Telegram and WhatsApp in India, where Telegram faces regulatory scrutiny. Jio’s denial highlights the importance of maintaining reliable and secure internet infrastructure in a market where telecom operators and messaging platforms compete fiercely, inc42.com noted.
Jio’s statement emphasized its adherence to global internet routing best practices and its commitment to security and transparency. The company’s IPO is anticipated later this year, with the issue attracting significant investor interest, inc42.com reported.