Telegram will now provide some user data to authorities

Telegram, the popular messaging app, has announced a significant policy shift: it will now provide users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities that present valid legal requests or search warrants. CEO Pavel Durov stated that this change is intended to deter criminal activity on the platform.

“While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities tarnish the platform’s reputation, putting the interests of our nearly billion users at risk,” Durov explained in a post.

This announcement marks a notable reversal for Durov, the Russian-born co-founder of Telegram, who recently faced legal troubles in France. Last month, he was detained at an airport near Paris and subsequently charged with enabling criminal activities through the platform. These charges include complicity in the distribution of child abuse images and drug trafficking, as well as failing to comply with law enforcement requests. Durov has denied all allegations, criticizing the notion that he should be held accountable for the actions of others on the app.

Critics argue that Telegram has become a breeding ground for misinformation, child pornography, and extremist content, exacerbated by a feature that allows groups to host up to 200,000 members. In contrast, rival messaging service WhatsApp limits group sizes to 1,000, which some believe helps curb the spread of harmful content.

Telegram has faced scrutiny for hosting far-right channels that have been linked to violence in several English cities. Additionally, the Ukrainian government recently banned the app on state-issued devices in an effort to reduce security threats posed by Russian activities.

Durov’s arrest has ignited a broader conversation about the future of free speech online. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, noted that many users are now questioning whether Telegram remains a secure platform for political dissidents. “Telegram’s marketing as a refuge from government demands attracted those seeking safety to express their political views in repressive environments like Russia and Belarus,” he explained. “Now, many are left wondering if the platform will cooperate with authorities in oppressive regimes.”

The lack of clarity surrounding how Telegram will handle requests from authoritarian leaders has raised concerns among users. Cybersecurity experts point out that while Telegram has taken steps to remove certain groups, its moderation of extremist and illegal content remains weaker compared to other social media platforms.

Prior to this policy change, Telegram only provided information to law enforcement regarding terror suspects. In his recent statement, Durov mentioned that the app is now utilizing “a dedicated team of moderators” who employ artificial intelligence to hide problematic content in search results. However, experts like Daphne Keller from Stanford University’s Center for Internet and Society believe that simply making harmful material less visible will not satisfy legal obligations under French or European law.

Keller emphasized that Telegram has a responsibility to remove any illegal content that its employees can identify with reasonable certainty. Furthermore, in some jurisdictions, the platform must notify authorities about certain types of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse materials.

The question remains whether the recent changes will be sufficient to meet law enforcement’s needs for information regarding investigations, including user communications and message content. Keller warned, “It sounds like a commitment that may fall short of what law enforcement is seeking.”

As Telegram navigates this complex landscape, its users are left to grapple with the implications of these policy changes. The decision to share user data with authorities could fundamentally alter the platform’s image as a safe space for open dialogue, particularly in countries where government surveillance is prevalent.

As debates about privacy, security, and freedom of expression continue to unfold, Telegram’s next steps will be critical in determining its role in the digital communication landscape and the balance it strikes between user privacy and compliance with law enforcement demands.