Pavel Durov Addresses Privacy Concerns and Legal Troubles Amid Growing Pressure on Telegram

• Pavel Durov confirms that Telegram has shared criminal data since 2018, based on valid legal requests and privacy policies.
• Telegram saw a rise in EU legal data requests in Q3 2024, following the EU Digital Services Act communication updates.
• Despite legal issues in France, Telegram maintains compliance with European regulations, including the Digital Services Act.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov addressed concerns about recent privacy policy changes on his official Telegram channel, following growing attention to the platform’s practices. Durov emphasized that despite rumors, there has been no major shift in Telegram’s core operations. He reaffirmed that since 2018, the platform has disclosed user data to authorities in response to legitimate legal requests, a process outlined in the platform’s privacy policy.

Disclosure of Criminal Data

Durov’s post highlighted Telegram’s established practice of sharing IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals with law enforcement. This policy, in place since 2018, requires a legally binding request before Telegram discloses data. Durov noted that the process is designed to ensure compliance with local laws, without undermining the platform’s commitment to privacy.

For instance, in Brazil, Telegram satisfied 75 legal requests in Q1, 63 in Q2, and 65 in Q3 of 2024. In India, the largest market for Telegram, the platform handled significantly higher volumes, 2461 in Q1, 2151 in Q2, and 2380 in Q3.

Changes in Europe Due to Digital Services Act

Durov also pointed to a noticeable increase in legal requests from European authorities in Q3 2024. This rise, according to Durov, was driven by the proper use of communication lines established under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). Telegram made this contact point accessible on its website early in 2024, allowing law enforcement agencies to submit requests more efficiently.

Telegram recently streamlined its privacy policy to unify it across different regions, ensuring clarity while maintaining its core principles. According to Durov, the company’s focus remains on protecting users while complying with laws that don’t conflict with its values.

Legal Issues in France

Durov’s message comes after his recent legal troubles in France, where he was arrested in late August as part of a criminal investigation. He was held for 96 hours and later released under judicial supervision after posting a €6 million bail. 

The investigation involves multiple charges, including drug trafficking and child exploitation. Despite the ongoing investigation, Telegram continues to assert its compliance with European regulations, notably the DSA, which governs its interactions with law enforcement.