Telegram Implements Major Policy Shift, Agreeing to Share User Data With Authorities
In a significant policy reversal, Telegram has announced it will begin sharing users’ IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities in response to valid legal requests, aiming to curb criminal activities on the platform.
“We’ve clarified that IP addresses and phone numbers of users who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities following legitimate legal requests,” Telegram CEO Pavel Durov stated in a post.
The company now explicitly outlines its new stance:
“If Telegram receives a valid order from judicial authorities confirming that you’re a suspect in criminal activity that violates our Terms of Service, we will conduct a legal review of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the appropriate authorities.”
These disclosures will be detailed in its regular transparency reports. Additionally, Telegram noted that metadata, such as IP addresses, device details, and username history, may be collected to combat spam, abuse, and other violations.
Previously, Telegram limited sharing user data only in cases involving terrorism suspects: “If Telegram receives a court order confirming that you’re a terror suspect, we may disclose your IP address and phone number to authorities.”
Alongside these policy changes, it has updated its search feature to block problematic content from search results and introduced a tool for reporting illegal search terms or materials via the @SearchReport bot, allowing human moderators to review and remove flagged content.
This revision to Telegram’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy marks a dramatic shift for a company long criticized for allowing cybercrime, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and money laundering to thrive unchecked on its platform.
The shift comes after Durov’s arrest in France on allegations that the company overlooked rampant illegal activity on Telegram. Though he was released on bail, Durov remains in the country pending further investigation.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian government recently announced a ban on Telegram for government officials, military personnel, and workers in defense and critical infrastructure roles, citing national security concerns.
Source: TheHackerNews
