Telegram's Shift in Privacy Policy: A Response to Legal Pressures
In a significant policy shift, Telegram, the popular messaging platform founded in 2013, has announced it will now cooperate more closely with judicial authorities. This change comes in the wake of founder Pavel Durov's recent arrest in France, where he faces accusations related to illegal content on the platform. In a post on his Telegram channel, Durov stated that the company will now provide users' personal information, including IP addresses and phone numbers, in response to valid court requests. This marks a stark departure from Telegram's previous stance of protecting user privacy, which has made it a favored platform among political activists and dissidents.
Previously, Telegram's cooperation with law enforcement was limited to cases involving suspected terrorist activities. However, Durov acknowledged that the platform's rapid growth—now boasting around 950 million users—has made it easier for criminals to exploit its features. "We cannot allow bad actors to jeopardize the integrity of our platform for nearly a billion users," he emphasized.
As part of this new approach, Telegram will also begin reporting cases in which it has provided user information in its quarterly transparency reports. In addition, Durov announced the introduction of enhanced moderation measures, including a new geolocation feature that will only display legitimate and verified businesses, aiming to improve the platform's safety and reputation.
This policy change comes as Telegram faces increased scrutiny over its content moderation practices, which have been criticized for allowing illegal activities to flourish. Durov's arrest and the subsequent legal pressures have undoubtedly played a role in the platform's decision to alter its long-standing privacy policies.
