Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, clarified in a recent statement that the platform’s updated terms of service, which now include providing authorities with IP addresses and phone numbers of rule violators, do not represent a significant shift in its practices. According to Durov, Telegram has been cooperating with law enforcement and disclosing criminal data for years.
Durov addressed concerns sparked by his previous announcement, explaining that the company has long been sharing data, such as IP addresses and phone numbers of “dangerous criminals,” provided they received a “properly formed legal request” and completed a legal analysis. His latest remarks highlighted that Telegram’s privacy policy has been streamlined across different countries, but the company’s core values of freedom and privacy remain intact.
The disclosure policy, Durov explained, primarily targets users who abuse Telegram’s search feature to sell illegal goods. He revealed that Telegram had responded to nearly 200 legal requests in Brazil this year and satisfied close to 7,000 legal requests in India, its largest market, since January.
In the European Union, the number of data requests has increased as more authorities began using the correct communication channels to submit requests. These disclosures, aimed at combating cybercriminal activities, have caused concern among individuals using the platform for illegal purposes, such as drug trafficking, child pornography distribution, and money laundering.
Durov also mentioned that Telegram moderators have enhanced the platform’s search safety using artificial intelligence to block problematic content. While some hacktivist groups, including Ghosts of Palestine, RipperSec, and Al Ahad, have expressed intentions to leave Telegram or have already begun establishing backup channels on platforms like Discord and Signal, there hasn’t yet been a large-scale exodus. However, these discussions signal potential future shifts as cybercriminal groups reassess their strategies.
Cybersecurity experts noted that despite the outcry, Telegram’s efforts to maintain compliance with local laws and promote a safer platform are not new and align with its longstanding policies.
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