Telegram Changes Stance on User Data Sharing Amid Criminal Concerns

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In a significant policy shift, the encrypted messaging app Telegram will now provide user data to authorities in response to legal requests regarding criminal activity on its platform. This comes after Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov August detainment in France due to refusing to cooperate with law enforcement concerning serious crimes committed on his platform, such as child sexual abuse and drug trafficking.

In a post on Telegram, Durov stated that authorities must present valid legal requests, such as search warrants, to access users’ IP addresses and phone numbers. He emphasized that while the vast majority of Telegram users—99.999%—are law-abiding, the small fraction involved in illicit activities tarnishes the reputation of the platform and jeopardizes the interests of its nearly one billion users. “This measure should discourage criminals,” he asserted.

The decision follows Durov’s release on bail after his arrest in France, where authorities expressed concerns about the app’s lack of moderation and its association with criminal behavior. Following his detention, Durov criticized the French authorities, but acknowledged the need for Telegram to address its image and security challenges.

In addition to this policy change, Telegram has updated its FAQ section to include information about features that allow users to report illegal content directly to platform moderators. This adjustment aims to foster a safer environment on the app, but it has also raised alarms among users, especially those concerned about privacy and governmental overreach. With the recent announcement that user data could be shared with law enforcement, some Telegram users fear a mass departure from the platform.

Telegram’s new policy states: “If Telegram receives a valid order from the relevant judicial authorities that confirms you’re a suspect in a case involving criminal activities that violate the Telegram Terms of Service, we will perform a legal analysis of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities.” This vague language has led to concerns about how Telegram will handle requests from authoritarian regimes.

Experts warn that dissidents in countries like Russia, Belarus, and parts of the Middle East—who have increasingly relied on Telegram for secure communication—should now be wary. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, raised questions about Telegram’s cooperation with oppressive governments, noting that dissent in many of these regions is often criminalized.

Moreover, there is a common misconception among users that Telegram offers end-to-end encryption by default. In reality, this feature must be enabled manually, which many users fail to do. As Telegram navigates this complex landscape of law enforcement cooperation and user privacy, its evolving policies may redefine its role in secure communication.