Privacy Compromised? Telegram to Share User Data with Authorities Amid Legal Pressures
Telegram, long known for its staunch stance on user privacy, has announced a significant change in its policies, allowing for the sharing of user data, including IP addresses and phone numbers, with law enforcement.
The policy shift was revealed on Monday by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, following his recent arrest in France over allegations that the platform has been used to facilitate illegal activities.
Durov explained that the company is now working to combat the misuse of the app’s search function, which has reportedly been exploited to sell illegal goods. In a bid to clean up the platform, Telegram has deployed AI-powered tools and a team of moderators to remove harmful content.
“To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy,” Durov said. “IP addresses and phone numbers of users violating our rules can now be shared with authorities, provided we receive valid legal requests.”
This marks a dramatic shift from the app’s previous stance, which limited data sharing to cases involving terrorism. Under the updated policy, law enforcement may request user data if they suspect involvement in criminal activities, provided it violates Telegram’s Terms of Service. The company will then assess the legality of the request before disclosing the information.
The change comes after Durov’s arrest in France for allegedly failing to prevent the use of his app for criminal activities, including child pornography and drug trafficking. Although Durov has been released on bail, he now faces serious charges in France.
Initially, Durov vowed to protect user privacy, stating that he would not bow to demands for encryption keys or censorship. However, he has since committed to cracking down on illegal activities on the platform, resulting in the updated privacy policy.
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