Durov: Telegram Begins Sharing Data of Suspicious Users

Durov: Telegram Begins Sharing Data of Suspicious Users

Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has announced that the platform will now provide phone numbers and IP addresses of users if legally requested by authorities.

According to a report from Bloomberg, this policy shift marks a departure from Telegram's long history of ignoring legal requests and refusing to provide information about suspected criminals.

This change comes alongside other platform updates, including the introduction of artificial intelligence and human moderation to remove problematic content from search results, as Durov explained.

Durov also urged users to report unsafe and illegal content so that the dedicated team can remove it.

It remains unclear how these changes will affect Telegram's popularity among individuals involved in illegal activities or the authorities' ability to prosecute such users.

IP addresses and phone numbers can help identify users, their locations, and activities across other platforms. However, Telegram users can still opt for several layers of privacy features, such as disappearing messages, end-to-end encryption, or even using the service without a SIM card.

Despite these changes, Telegram continues to claim on its official website that it "has not yet disclosed any user messages to third parties, including governments."

In August, Durov was arrested in France and faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to "operate an online platform enabling illegal transactions within an organized group" and "failing to provide necessary information or documents for legal investigations." If found guilty, Durov could face up to 10 years in prison under French law.

He was barred from leaving France and must report to the police twice a week after being released on bail of €5 million, while investigations are still ongoing.

Telegram Complies with European Authorities and Adjusts Moderation Rules

Telegram, founded in 2013, has consistently emphasized its compliance with European laws and, from the start, committed to never disclosing any user information (Reuters).

Telegram has revised its moderation rules to cooperate more closely with judicial authorities, as announced by founder Pavel Durov, who is currently under investigation in France for illegal content on his platform, according to AFP.

In a message on his Telegram channel, Durov stated, "We have made it clear that IP addresses and mobile phone numbers of those violating our rules may be sent to authorities in response to valid court requests."

Since its launch in 2013, Telegram has prided itself on respecting European laws and had a policy of never disclosing user information. Previously, the platform only cooperated with the judicial system if a user was declared a terrorism suspect by the courts.

Durov was arrested at the end of August in France, where he faces multiple charges related to Telegram's messaging service. He has been prohibited from leaving the country.

In a detailed message on his platform in early September, the 39-year-old billionaire expressed his surprise at being held responsible for content shared by others.

However, Durov acknowledged that the sharp increase in Telegram’s user base—now estimated at around 950 million globally—has created a situation "that has made it easier for criminals to misuse our platform."

The Telegram founder pledged to make message moderation a source of pride, announcing the first round of measures aimed at strengthening moderation on September 6.

Among the new features highlighted by Durov is a geolocation feature, Business Nearby, which will display only legitimate and verified businesses instead of the People Nearby feature, which allowed users to connect with others in their vicinity.