Police detain Telegram channel admin selling personal data
Russian law enforcement detained the administrator of a Telegram channel selling personal data, who admitted guilt and faces charges related to illegal access to confidential information and data breaches. Additional suspects were arrested between 2023 and 2025.
Consensus
- The administrator of a Telegram channel selling personal data was detained by Russian law enforcement.
- The suspect admitted guilt during the investigation.
- The investigation is based on charges related to illegal acquisition and disclosure of protected information, unauthorized access to computer data, and abuse of official authority.
- A court imposed a restriction on certain actions as a preventive measure.
- Co-conspirators involved in the operation were detained between 2023 and 2015.
- The channel provided access to data from banks, telecom operators, and government databases.
- Searches at the suspect's residence uncovered smartphones, laptops, and digital evidence including messages, photos, and screenshots of confidential third-party information.
Points of divergence
- In October 2025, the owner of the Telegram bot UserBox was detained. — tvrain
- In February, searches were conducted at the team behind the 'Eye of God' data probing service, and its founder left Russia. — tvrain
- In March, the Himera data probing service blocked access for Russian authorities and relocated its staff out of the country. — tvrain
- The same information about UserBox, 'Eye of God', and Himera was included in the report. — tg_tvrain
Coverage (3 sources)
- Security forces detained Telegram channel administrator in case of sale of personal data — Медиазона
- Security officials detained Telegram channel administrator selling personal data — Дождь
- Security forces detained Telegram channel administrator selling personal data — Дождь (Telegram)