Telegram has announced a major policy change that will involve sharing users’ phone numbers and IP addresses with law enforcement if they are suspected of engaging in illegal activities. This decision follows the arrest of Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, by French authorities last month for failing to cooperate in investigations concerning illicit activities on the platform.
Key Changes:
- User Information Sharing: Telegram will now provide law enforcement with phone numbers and IP addresses of users involved in illegal actions if legally required.
- Content Blocking: Telegram’s search feature will block users from locating or sharing illegal content such as drugs, scams, or explicit materials. AI will be employed to ensure that illegal searches yield no results.
- Updated Terms of Service: Telegram has revised its terms to reflect this new cooperation with law enforcement and the steps taken to prevent illegal content from being shared.
Impact on Users:
- For the average user, these changes are unlikely to affect their experience as long as they adhere to legal usage, such as messaging friends and following legitimate news channels.
- Users engaged in illegal activities, however, face serious consequences as their personal data could be handed over to authorities in response to valid legal requests.
Durov’s Legal Troubles:
Pavel Durov was arrested in France over Telegram’s alleged failure to block illegal content and for using encryption methods not authorized by French authorities. After paying a €5 million bond, Durov was released but remains under judicial supervision and cannot leave the country.
Conclusion:
While this move aims to curb illegal activities on the platform, it has the potential to spark privacy concerns among users. Durov now faces the challenge of balancing user privacy with legal compliance, especially after his arrest and ongoing investigations.
