Policy & Regulation
Cybersecurity news in this category
Google Urges European Commission to Stop Mass Blocking of IP Addresses, DNS Services and VPNs in Piracy Fight
Kremlin Spokesperson Peskov Labels EU Sanctions Against MAX Messenger as Manifestation of Repressive Policy
RZD Trunk Quantum Network Obtains FSTEC Attestation and Enters External Commercial Market
Telegram Loses Global Short Links as t.me Domain Disabled Worldwide by .me Registry
On July 13, users worldwide discovered that Telegram’s short links in the t.me format stopped opening in web browsers, although the messenger itself continued to function normally. The issue was first reported by the Russian publication Kode Durova and affects only external browser access, while links remain fully operational inside the Telegram desktop client and mobile applications. According to preliminary findings, the domain was effectively removed from the DNS system at the registry level of the .me top-level domain, which belongs to Montenegro and is operated by the company doMEn. The exact reason for the deactivation remains unknown, with possible explanations including a legal dispute, routine verification, government requests, or a violation of the domain zone’s rules. Notably, the t.me domain is registered to Telegram until 2035, ruling out simple expiration or administrative oversight. As a result, users are currently advised to open t.me links directly through the Telegram app while waiting for the domain to be restored in the global DNS.
EU Adds Russian Tech Giant VK to Sanctions List Over Development of National Messenger MAX
The European Union has included VK in its sanctions regime, targeting the parent company of Russia’s largest social media platforms including VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. The move was triggered by VK’s ownership of the developer behind the national messenger application MAX, which Russian authorities have been promoting as a domestic digital platform. According to the Council of the EU, VK serves as the parent structure for LLC Communication Platform, the entity directly responsible for creating and operating MAX. The sanctions decision was formally published on 13 July in the Official Journal of the European Union, marking the first time Brussels has directly sanctioned a major Russian IT holding in connection with a consumer messaging service. While the exact operational and commercial consequences for VK, its subsidiaries, and international partners remain unspecified in the official notice, the action extends EU restrictive measures beyond traditional sectors such as banking, energy, and manufacturing into the Russian technology industry. VK’s press service stated that the sanctions do not affect the functioning of VK or MAX and that all applications and services remain available to users without disruption.
Russia to Mandate Gosuslugi Authentication for Hosting Providers, Further Reducing Anonymity in Runet
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development (MinTsifry) is advancing plans to require all hosting providers to identify clients exclusively through the Gosuslugi portal and the ESIA system. The measure aims to ensure that every allocated IP address is linked to a verified individual, going beyond current methods such as email or bank card verification. This approach mirrors the identification rules already enforced since September for .ru, .рф, and .su domain registrations and renewals. Industry reactions are divided: while some providers like Turbo Cloud support the initiative for combating fraud, others warn of high implementation costs and significant client losses. Smaller users, including students and independent developers, may migrate to foreign hosting services, and foreigners could face restricted access without alternative verification options.
Phase II of National 100-City FDE Frontier Deployment Engineer Onboarding Program Officially Launches
The second phase of the nationwide "Hundred Cities On-the-Job Plan" for FDE Frontier Deployment Engineers has been announced, expanding opportunities across China. The initiative targets experienced engineers specializing in advanced deployment technologies and aims to place professionals in key urban centers. Building on the success of the first phase, this new round seeks to strengthen technical capabilities in critical infrastructure and cybersecurity domains. Participants will receive structured onboarding, training, and direct placement support in multiple cities. The program underscores growing demand for specialized deployment expertise amid rapid digital transformation.