Telegram to Comply with Legal Requests for User Data Sharing, said Pavel Durov

In response to complaints on the improper use of the platform’s search function, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov recently announced modifications to the moderation guidelines. Durov stated that people pushing illicit items have also taken use of Telegram’s search feature, which facilitates access to public channels and bots. Telegram has revised its privacy policy and terms of service in response, hoping to stop this abuse.

“We have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests,” Durov stated. This policy shift marks a significant change for Telegram, a platform long known for its strong stance on user privacy.

Updated Policies and AI-Driven Moderation

Telegram has ramped up efforts to enhance the safety of its search function by deploying a team of moderators supported by artificial intelligence. According to Durov, these actions have already made Telegram Search significantly safer, with problematic content being removed swiftly. Durov encouraged users to report any remaining illegal or unsafe content they encounter on the platform.

These policy updates clarify that Telegram may share users’ IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities if they violate platform rules, representing a departure from the app’s previous privacy-first approach. Durov reiterated that Telegram Search is “meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods,” emphasizing that the company will not allow bad actors to compromise its integrity.

Durov’s announcement comes amid his ongoing legal challenges. In August, he was arrested in France over allegations that Telegram was being used for criminal activities, including drug trafficking and cybercrime. Following his arrest, Telegram began cooperating with law enforcement, as reported by the French newspaper Le Figaro. Telegram complied with a request from a European Union member state in an investigation involving a group suspected of commissioning contract killings.

Durov’s recent statements underscore Telegram’s commitment to balancing user privacy with the need to prevent abuse. By tightening moderation and enhancing its policies, Telegram aims to create a safer environment for its nearly one billion users.