Telegram’s New Privacy Policy: User Information Disclosure

Telegram has updated its privacy policy to allow the platform to disclose a user’s phone number and IP address to authorities, under certain conditions. If Telegram receives a valid judicial request confirming that a user is a suspect in criminal activities violating the platform’s Terms of Service, it may provide these details to relevant authorities. This change follows the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who faced criminal charges in France for enabling illegal activities on the platform.

Pavel Durov’s Statement on the Privacy Policy Update

In response to the updated policy, Pavel Durov posted on his Telegram channel, explaining the company’s decision. The change aims to deter criminals from exploiting Telegram’s search function, which Durov claims has been used to sell illegal goods. He emphasized that Telegram would disclose the IP addresses and phone numbers of rule violators if legally required, making it clear that bad actors would not be allowed to jeopardize the platform’s integrity for its nearly one billion users.

Changes to Telegram’s Law Enforcement Policy

Previously, Telegram’s law enforcement disclosure policy was limited to suspects involved in terrorism-related activities. Now, however, the updated policy broadens the scope to include any criminal activity that violates Telegram’s Terms of Service. This change highlights Telegram’s new stance on taking a more proactive role in identifying and stopping criminal activity on its platform.

Telegram’s Transparency Reports and Efforts to Combat Criminal Activity

Telegram has committed to providing quarterly transparency reports, detailing instances where user data has been disclosed to authorities. The platform has long been criticized for its moderation policies, with reports uncovering thousands of channels related to criminal activities such as terrorism, child sexual abuse material, and drug trafficking. With the latest privacy policy update, Telegram is signaling a shift in its approach to illegal content on the platform.

Enhanced Moderation with AI to Combat Problematic Content

Alongside the privacy policy update, Telegram is stepping up its efforts to tackle illegal content. The platform is now using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and remove problematic content from its search feature. Earlier this month, Telegram also made changes to its language surrounding private chat moderation and disabled the “misused” People Nearby feature, in addition to pausing media uploads to its anonymous blogging tool, Telegraph.

Telegram’s Commitment to Platform Integrity

Telegram’s new privacy policy and moderation measures reflect its commitment to reversing its reputation as a platform frequently associated with criminal activity. As the company works to address these issues, it is likely to continue making further changes to enhance platform security and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.