CEO Arrest and Legal Action
Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France last month over alleged criminal activities on the messaging app, including gang transactions and trafficking. French authorities had been investigating the platform’s failure to provide user data related to the case. Durov was later released on bail set at $5.56 million, but the incident has sparked debates about online privacy and criminal activity.
Telegram’s Response: New Data-Sharing Policy
In response to the arrest, Telegram has updated its terms of service and privacy policy. The company announced it will now share IP addresses and phone numbers of users who violate the platform’s rules with law enforcement, provided there are valid legal requests. This marks a significant shift for Telegram, which has long been known for its strong encryption and user privacy.
Transparency Reports
Telegram will begin publishing quarterly transparency reports, detailing any user data shared with law enforcement officials. This move aims to provide clarity on the company’s cooperation with legal authorities while maintaining its commitment to user privacy where possible.
Combating Criminal Activity
Durov admitted that the platform’s rapid growth, with over 950 million users, has made it easier for criminals to abuse its services. In his statement, he said Telegram has removed problematic content, particularly from its public search feature, with the help of AI-powered moderation. Users can report any illegal content they find through the @SearchReport feature.
Impact on Private Chats
While these changes aim to reduce criminal activity in public spaces, Telegram’s private, end-to-end encrypted chats remain unaffected. The company insists that it has no way of accessing or deciphering private conversations, preserving its long-standing commitment to user privacy in private chats.
Previous Crackdowns
Telegram has previously acted against channels promoting violence or extremism, including those linked to the militant group Hamas and far-right, anti-immigrant riots in the UK. However, the platform has been criticized for allowing illegal activities to flourish in other areas.
Future Implications
The extent of Telegram’s cooperation with law enforcement may impact the ongoing investigation in France, though it remains to be seen how this will influence the platform’s future approach to balancing privacy and legal obligations.