Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said that the messaging app will start handing over users’ IP addresses and phone numbers based on legal requirements. Bloomberg is the first The policy change notes that Telegram has historically been “unresponsive to takedown requests” and “often ignores requests for information about suspected criminals.”
Accompanying this development is the implementation of some moderation. Telegram has started using artificial intelligence as well as a human moderation team to remove “problematic” content from search results, Durov said. Durov also asked users to inform the team to remove dangerous and illegal content.
It’s unclear how much these changes will affect Telegram’s popularity with those involved in illegal activity (or the authorities’ ability to prosecute them). While IP addresses and phone numbers can be useful for triangulating users’ activities elsewhere, Telegram users can opt for multiple layers of anonymization features, such as disappearing messages, end-to-end encryption, or the ability to use the service. . The service’s FAQ goes on to boast, “To date, we have disclosed 0 bytes of user messages to third parties, including governments.”
Back in August, Durov was arrested in France for his Telegram crimes and ordered to stay there. He denies the charges.
