Telegram to Open Local Office in Kazakhstan to Enhance Regulatory Compliance

Messaging platform Telegram is set to establish a local office in Kazakhstan.

The decision, announced by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry on Monday, aligns with ongoing efforts to improve communication with local authorities and manage platform content more effectively.

Minister Zhaslan Madiyev said that Telegram’s physical presence in Kazakhstan will be an “important step to increase control” and oversight of content on the platform.

More Than Half of Kazakhstan’s Population Use Telegram

Telegram’s user base in Kazakhstan has been growing, with over 12.5 million Kazakh users—representing more than half of the nation’s 20 million population—using the app monthly.

The platform has seen a 25% increase in Kazakh users since 2023.

The establishment of the office coincides with broader discussions involving Kazakh officials and representatives from major U.S. tech companies, such as Meta and Apple.

During these meetings, topics like data protection, fraud prevention, and the spread of fake accounts on platforms like Meta's WhatsApp were addressed.

In the third quarter of 2024, Meta reportedly blocked 1.2 billion fake accounts globally, largely through the use of artificial intelligence.

Madiyev also emphasized the importance of global cooperation in ensuring the safety of Kazakh citizens in the digital space.

“We are actively cooperating with Telegram to swiftly remove illegal content and block illicit channels,” he stated.

Recent legislative changes require major internet platforms, including Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok, to appoint local representatives and establish offices in Kazakhstan to better comply with local laws.

Le Kazakhstan franchit une nouvelle étape vers la censure numérique, sous l'œil bienveillant des États-Unis.

Lors d'une rencontre avec des représentants de la Chambre de commerce américaine et des grandes entreprises US, le ministre kazakh du Développement numérique a fièrement… pic.twitter.com/YxenzKk6TK

— Camille Moscow (@camille_moscow) October 14, 2024

Telegram's decision to set up an office in Kazakhstan is part of its broader efforts to address regulatory concerns, which have also seen increased scrutiny in other countries.

In late August, French authorities indicted Durov over Telegram’s alleged failure to adequately prevent illegal activities on the platform.

Since then, Telegram has implemented several measures to address these concerns, including sharing user information, such as IP addresses and phone numbers, with authorities when necessary.

The platform has also made significant updates to its search engine, removing problematic content and using artificial intelligence to detect and block illicit material.

The new office in Kazakhstan marks one of the first global steps Telegram has taken to ensure greater compliance with local regulations, although the company has yet to provide an official comment.

Telegram Held $400M in Crypto by End of 2023

As reported, Telegram held $400 million in digital assets by the close of 2023, according to its financial statement for that year.

Telegram, which had around four million premium users at the end of 2023, saw this number rise to over five million by mid-2024.

While the messaging platform generated $342.5 million in revenue, it still posted an operating loss of $108 million for the year.

Notably, about 40% of this revenue came from activities related to digital assets, including an "integrated wallet" and the sale of digital collectibles.

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