Published: 15 February 2026
Introduction. This article examines the problems affecting the Telegram messenger. Following the start of Special military operation of Russia and the demise and blocking of foreign messengers, Telegram experienced rapid growth in subscribers, traffic, and monetization. However, Federal Law No. 41-FZ of June 1, 2025, limited the messenger's capabilities. The platform's problems arose after repeated requests from government agencies to the messenger's owners and administration to remove or restrict access to content that violated Russian law.Purpose. To determine the relevance of the Telegram messenger's problems, the author analyzed scientific statistical studies by foreign authors on two issues: cyberfraud and the publication of false information. The analyzed studies were published in foreign scientific journals in 2025, with further research to begin no later than 2021. The University of Chicago's cybercrime analysis focuses on topics such as credential theft, pirated software, dark media, social media management resources without user consent, and hacking software. An analysis of inaccurate content was conducted by a team from Sapienza University in Rome to assess the monetization of QAnon and COVID-19 conspiracy theories.Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the research was conceptual analysis and discourse analysis. To determine the relevance of the problems of the Telegram messenger, scientific statistical studies by foreign authors devoted to two problems were analyzed: cyberbullying and the publication of false information. The analyzed studies will be published in foreign scientific publications in 2025, and the start of research will be no later than 2021. The cybercrime analysis by the University of Chicago group focuses on such topics as: theft of user credentials, pirated software, dark media, social media management resources without user consent, and hacker software. The analysis of the unreliable content was carried out by the Sapienza University of Rome group to assess the monetization of the "conspiracy theories" QAnon and COVID–19.Results. An analysis of repost chains and information flows led international researchers to certain conclusions. The author of the article discusses these findings. The cybercrime analysis was conducted on open profile channels, which effectively analyzes user loyalty to content, not user activity within the segment. The analysis of inaccurate content was conducted only for conspiracy theories, which does not cover all forms of inaccuracy. The second part of the article analyzes statistical data from Russian-language channels that shape the news agenda or attempt to control it. The analysis is based on official TG Stat and maxstat results.Conclusions. The political agenda is not a sought-after leader in media consumption. Ordinary users are attracted to topics that are not directly related to political issues. The attractive design of the messenger causes a high level of engagement. Hence the recommendations for the state messenger "Max": focus on topics and content that are in demand in society, work on the interface (UX/UI design).