[benhurmarcel]

> I have to wonder if part of why this is mostly brought up is due to the origin of the app being a group with a Russian nationality.

I think it has more to do with the fact that there is no known reason for the organisation behind Telegram to provide it. It doesn’t make money from users, it has large operating and development costs, it keeps access to a lot of personal data without regulation, it is not a non-profit funded by donations and being open about their operation…

So most realistic hypotheses about that organization is that it’s shady. There are very few other possible explanations.