Telegram will now share user data upon legal requests
Telegram, the popular messaging app, has updated its privacy policy to allow the disclosure of user's phone number and IP address if a valid request is received from authorities. This change comes in response to cases where users are suspected of criminal activities that breach the Telegram Terms of Service. The company has stated that it will conduct a legal analysis of any such requests before potentially disclosing user information.
Policy change follows CEO's arrest
This policy modification comes in the wake of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest last month. French authorities charged Durov with facilitating illegal activity on his platform. In a post on Telegram, Durov stated that these changes are being implemented to prevent criminals from misusing the app's search function, which has been exploited for selling illegal goods.
Durov's stance on rule violators
Durov clarified his position on rule violators in a post on his Telegram channel. "We've made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests," he wrote. "We won't let bad actors jeopardize the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users."
Telegram's previous law enforcement policy
Previously, Telegram's law enforcement policy was limited to terror suspects. The company has now expanded this policy to include other criminal suspects. In its quarterly transparency reports, Telegram will disclose whether it has provided user information to authorities. This change is part of a broader effort by the company to address concerns about illegal content and moderation on its platform.
Telegram's struggle with illegal content
Telegram has been grappling with issues related to illegal content due to its relaxed moderation policies. A recent report from The New York Times revealed thousands of channels linked to terrorism, child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and extremism. In response, Durov stated that moderators are now using AI to detect and remove "problematic content" from the platform's search feature.
