Telegram Revises Privacy Policy, Now Sharing User Data with Authorities

• Telegram updates privacy policy to disclose user IPs and phone numbers to authorities upon valid legal requests.
• New AI-powered moderation tools on Telegram aim to identify and remove harmful or illegal content more effectively.
• CEO Pavel Durov faces legal challenges in France, coinciding with Telegram’s stricter privacy policy and compliance efforts.

Telegram, a messaging platform known for its strict privacy policies, will now share user IP addresses and phone numbers with legal authorities upon valid requests. This is a shift for the platform, which previously maintained a firm stance against providing user information, even in criminal investigations. The update comes as Telegram faces growing scrutiny over its handling of illicit activities on the platform.

Telegram Updates Terms Amid Scrutiny

Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, announced the changes to the platform’s terms of service. The update aligns Telegram’s policies across all regions and introduces new moderation tools aimed at curbing the misuse of its features, including public channels and bots. 

These features, initially designed to enhance user discovery and interaction, have been exploited to promote illegal activities. To address this, Telegram is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and human moderators to identify and remove inappropriate content more efficiently.

Enhancing Moderation to Improve Safety

In response to increasing reports of misuse, Telegram has enhanced its moderation efforts. Durov urged users to report harmful or illegal content to ensure its swift removal. The platform aims to improve the overall safety of its search features by leveraging AI. 

Problematic content, previously accessible through Telegram’s search functionality, is now harder to find. These efforts are part of a broader move to make the platform safer for its nearly one billion users.

Durov’s Legal Troubles and Compliance

The policy change comes after Durov’s legal issues in France. In late August, French authorities arrested him as part of an investigation involving multiple criminal charges, including drug trafficking and child exploitation. 

Durov was released after 96 hours in custody, subject to judicial supervision, and required to post a €6 million bail. Despite the charges, Telegram asserts that it complies with European regulations, including the Digital Services Act.

The company continues to emphasize that while users maintain access to privacy features like end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages, those who violate Telegram’s rules will face stricter consequences, including the disclosure of personal information to authorities.