Telegram Ban and BGP Hijacking Incident
The Indian government's temporary ban on Telegram has raised significant concerns about BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) hijacking, as highlighted by Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov.
Claims of BGP Hijacking
- Nature of BGP Hijacking: A method where internet traffic is misdirected by falsely advertising the route to a website or online service.
- Pavel Durov's Allegation: Claimed that BGP hijacking was compromising access to Telegram even in countries like the UAE, outside India's jurisdiction, as part of a "competitive war".
- Function of BGP: It's the internet's routing system that directs networks on how to reach specific IP addresses.
- Mechanism: Networks use BGP announcements to determine the best route. Trust in these announcements is crucial for functioning.
- Analogy: BGP announcements are like connecting streets on a highway; false advertisements can misdirect traffic.
Specific Incident
- Alleged Misconduct: AS18101 reportedly announced Telegram's IP address space, affecting users outside India, including the UAE.
- Impact: If other networks accept false BGP announcements, it can redirect traffic away from Telegram, impacting user access.
Context of Telegram's Ban
- Reason for Ban: Ordered by the IT Ministry due to Telegram's alleged role in question paper leaks for the NEET exam.
- Details on Leaks: Telegram channels reportedly demanded money for leaked exam papers, using names that openly advertised their purpose.
- Government Actions: Directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature until June 30 to prevent tampering with previously posted messages.
Government and NTA's Stance
- NTA's Statement: No leaked papers are available outside the secured examination chain.
- Concerns Over Message-Editing: The feature allows editing of previously posted messages, which could include changing attached files.
