(Bloomberg) — Messaging app Telegram will provide users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests, according to Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov.
The platform changed its terms of service to deter criminals from abusing it, Durov said in a post on Telegram on Monday. The move comes less than a month after his arrest in France, where he faces charges of alleged complicity in the dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
The move marks a stark departure from how Telegram handles data requests from governments and its reputation for lax moderation. The UAE-based platform has been notoriously unresponsive to content takedown requests from governments around the world and has often ignored requests for information on suspected criminals.
The app, using artificial intelligence and a team of moderators, has begun hiding problematic content from its search results as part of its efforts to prevent misuse, Durov said.
In August, French prosecutors charged Russian-born Durov with alleged crimes committed on the app. The case portrays the billionaire CEO as the head of a company that refused to provide law enforcement with data to aid legal wiretapping of suspected criminals.
Durov, who has been ordered to remain in France while the investigation continues, denies the charges.
Under Durov’s leadership, Telegram has drawn the ire of governments ranging from the European Union to authoritarian regimes in Russia and Iran. It has been used by protesters seeking to organize against authorities, while becoming a hub for conspiracy theorists and extremists.
White supremacists in the United States, for example, have used Telegram for years to coordinate attacks on energy infrastructure.
In 2018, the Kremlin tried to block Telegram, but failed two years later. When the ban was lifted, the Russian regulator said Durov had signaled he would help combat extremism and terrorism.
Durov’s arrest has prompted a number of changes to Telegram’s policies. Earlier this month, Telegram disabled the uploading of new media files, which Durov said was aimed at stopping bots and scammers.
More stories like this are available at bloomberg.com
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.