As you may know, MTS has effectively been caught helping the security services (or simply certain criminals) hack the messaging accounts of opposition activists.
The Telegram account of Georgy Alburov from ACF's (Anti-Corruption Foundation's) investigations department was hacked, as was the Telegram account of activist Oleg Kozlovsky.
There was also a documented attempt to hack the Telegram account of ACF press secretary Kira Yarmysh.
The scheme is simple: MTS disables your SMS service, then the attackers reset the password using the very SMS message that they receive but you do not.
The details and timeline of events are laid out here.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has also said that the hack was caused by MTS acting under pressure from the security services.
What happened here clearly goes far beyond any SORM systems (Russia's lawful interception and surveillance system) and the routine work that a mobile operator in any country is expected to do at the request of security agencies. We are dealing with real criminals, even if they wear uniforms.
MTS is spouting ridiculous nonsense. On Facebook, for example, they told me about a possible “virus attack”:
Of course, we will pursue various legal actions against MTS in Russian courts, but obviously you cannot beat FSB criminals and their accomplices at MTS in a Russian courtroom. They control every court here.
That is why ACF is exploring the possibility of initiating a class action lawsuit against MTS in a U.S. and/or British court.
The company's shares have long been listed on major stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange.
MTS's participation in illegal hacking attacks alongside the security services is a serious matter and could deal a major blow to shareholders' interests. So, it seems to us that jurisdiction exists here, and there is a real chance to launch a splendid class action against MTS. In the best traditions of *The Good Wife* and *Suits*.
A ruthless corporation, activists, fatal passions, surveillance, cries of “Objection!”, Alicia Florrick falls in love with Georgy Alburov and wins him a million. The lawyers take 20% and throw a party.
In any case, we want to try. We cannot afford to hire lawyers in New York, so we are looking for a person or firm willing to do preliminary research pro bono.
At this stage, we would like a brief memorandum on whether there is, in principle, a legal basis for opening such a case against MTS outside Russia.
If you are an ambitious lawyer in New York, London, or Frankfurt who wants to make the world a better place and take part in an interesting, high-profile case, write to Nikita from ACF at kulachenkov@fbk.info
If you know such a lawyer, please forward this post to them.
If you work at MTS and know any details that could help us bring wrath and retribution down on these scoundrels, write to us anonymously via Black Box.
Thank you