Telegram has a big revelation.
Telegram, the popular crypto-friendly messaging platform, has been cooperating with authorities to disclose IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals since 2018.
Founder and CEO Pavel Durov recently addressed concerns surrounding Telegram’s privacy policies, clarifying that the company’s approach to data disclosure hasn’t changed, but rather has been refined and unified globally.
In a recent post, Durov assured users that Telegram’s compliance with legal requests is in line with its privacy policies, stating that since 2018, the company has responded to legitimate legal requests in “most countries.”
Also Read: Telegram Founder: Why Was I Arrested in France?
This includes sharing the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals after verifying the legitimacy of the request.
Telegram’s Transparency Bot reveals the extent of these disclosures. For example, in Brazil, the platform disclosed data in response to 75 requests in the first quarter of 2024, followed by 63 in the second, and 65 in the third.
India, the platform’s largest market, saw even more activity, with 2,461 requests in Q1, 2,151 in Q2, and 2,380 in Q3.
Despite this compliance with local laws, Durov was quick to emphasize that Telegram’s core values remain unchanged. The platform is still committed to protecting users’ privacy, particularly activists and ordinary citizens, while ensuring that criminals cannot abuse the service to evade justice.
Durov’s clarification comes after French authorities charged him with six offenses linked to illegal activity on Telegram, leading to his arrest on August 28. Following his release on a $5.5 million bail, Durov spoke out, asserting that the charges were misplaced and reaffirming Telegram’s commitment to combatting criminal activity.
As Telegram refines its policies, it remains dedicated to balancing privacy with lawful cooperation, proving once again that user safety remains a top priority.
