Messaging app Telegram will now provide users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities in response to valid legal requests, marking a significant policy change, according to its CEO Pavel Durov.
The announcement came in a statement on Telegram on Monday, as Durov explained that the company has updated its terms of service to curb the abuse of its platform by criminal elements. The decision follows Durov’s recent legal troubles in France, where he faces charges of alleged complicity in the spread of child sexual abuse materials.
This move signals a departure from Telegram’s historically defiant stance against government requests for user data. The platform, based in the United Arab Emirates, has long been criticized for being uncooperative in responding to takedown requests and providing information on suspected criminals. It’s also been a go-to platform for those looking to operate outside the bounds of heavily monitored social media services.
Durov’s legal issues began in August, when French prosecutors charged him with alleged complicity in crimes committed on Telegram, particularly surrounding the distribution of illegal content. The charges portray the CEO as being at the helm of a company that has long refused to comply with legal wiretaps or data requests from law enforcement agencies.
In response, Telegram has implemented several changes to curb misuse of its platform. Durov said the company has begun using artificial intelligence along with a team of moderators to conceal problematic content from search results. This new moderation effort aims to reduce illegal activity on the app and improve its compliance with legal standards.
Durov, who has been ordered to remain in France throughout the investigation, denies all charges. He emphasized that these measures are part of Telegram’s broader effort to uphold freedom of speech while preventing abuse of its platform.
Telegram has often been a battleground for free speech and government regulation. It has attracted attention from the European Union, as well as governments in Russia and Iran, who see the app as both a tool for free expression and a breeding ground for extremism. While protesters have used Telegram to organize against authoritarian regimes, the app has also become a hub for conspiracy theorists and extremist groups.
For instance, white supremacist groups in the United States have reportedly used Telegram to coordinate attacks on power infrastructure, drawing widespread condemnation. The Kremlin even attempted to ban the app in 2018, though it lifted the ban two years later after Durov promised to support counter-extremism efforts.
Durov’s arrest and the subsequent policy changes signal a shift in how Telegram operates under legal scrutiny. Earlier this month, Telegram disabled new media uploads to crack down on bots and scammers, illustrating its commitment to enhancing security on the platform.
For more details, you can read the full story on Bloomberg: Telegram CEO Durov Says App to Provide More Data to Governments.
