Telegram to Cooperate with Law Enforcement by Sharing User Data After CEO's Arrest

Law Enforcement by Sharing User Data

Telegram to Cooperate with Law Enforcement by Sharing User Data After CEO's Arrest

Messaging platform Telegram is tightening its policies on safety and user privacy following the arrest of founder and CEO Pavel Durov in France last month. Durov was detained over concerns related to criminal activities on the platform, including gang transactions and trafficking. After being released on bail of $5.56 million, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the app's rapid growth, which has made it easier for criminals to exploit its features.

In response, Telegram has updated its terms of service to include a commitment to share user IP addresses and phone numbers with law enforcement when presented with valid legal requests. The platform will also publish quarterly transparency reports detailing any user data shared with authorities.

Durov emphasized that the app’s powerful search feature has been misused for illegal activities, prompting the company to deploy a team of moderators, supported by AI, to remove problematic content. While these changes aim to curb public criminal activity, Telegram maintains that it cannot access information from private, end-to-end encrypted chats.

The ongoing French investigation into Telegram remains a complex issue as the platform works to balance user privacy with legal obligations. Previously, Telegram has taken action against channels associated with violent extremism and has removed content promoting illegal activities.