Telegram shortlinks knocked offline over sanctioned VPN connection

Telegram's t.me shortlinks were knocked offline for about a day after the.ME domain registry required removal of links tied to First VPN Service (1VPNS), a sanctioned VPN provider. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control designated 1VPNS on July 13 for selling services to ransomware groups. Founder Pavel Durov publicly asked the registry to restore the links.