Popular messaging app Telegram has announced a major policy reversal that will give authorities users’ IP addresses and phone numbers in response to legitimate requests in an attempt to curb criminal activity on the platform.
“We have made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules may be handed over to relevant authorities in response to legitimate requests,” Telegram CEO Pavel Durau. said in the post.
To this end, the company now directly states –
“If Telegram receives a valid warrant from the relevant judicial authorities confirming that you are a suspect in a criminal case that violates Telegram’s Terms of Use, we will conduct a legal analysis of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number. number to the relevant authorities”.
Such disclosures, it was said, would be included in its periodic transparency reports. Additionally, it notes that the service may collect metadata such as IP address, Telegram devices and applications used, and username change history to combat spam, abuse, and other violations.
It should be noted that the previous version of the policy only applied to suspected terrorists: “If Telegram receives a court order confirming that you are a suspected terrorist, we may disclose your IP address and phone number to the appropriate authorities.”
The update to Telegram’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy has been a major challenge for the company, which for years has refused to control the platform, turning it into a major haven for cybercrime and other illegal activities, including drug trafficking, child pornography and money laundering.
Changes were also conditioned Durov’s arrest in France due to accusations that the company turned a blind eye to various crimes that flourish unchecked on the platform. He was subsequently released on bail but ordered to remain in the country pending an investigation.
Last week, the Ukrainian government said that it was prohibition the use of Telegram by government officials, the military, and other defense and critical infrastructure workers, citing national security concerns.
