Telegram has started to publicly share user data with the United States
World
In 2024, the Telegram messenger responded to 900 requests from U.S. authorities, providing information about 2,253 users, according to the specialized site 404 Media. After Pavel Durov was arrested in France, Telegram provided data on over 2,000 users to U.S. officials within three months.
Between January 1 and September 30, Telegram fulfilled only 14 requests related to "IP addresses and/or phone numbers" that affected a total of 108 U.S. users. This significant increase in the data provided after Pavel Durov’s arrest in France in August 2024 indicates a major shift, as noted by 404 Media.
At the same time, Telegram stopped responding to requests from Russia after September 30, according to The Moscow Times on January 8, Wednesday. The company’s report emphasized that Telegram did not fulfill any requests from the Russian Federation during the first nine months of 2024.
According to Bleeping Computer, before Western countries pressured the messenger to change its user data policy, Telegram only disclosed users' IP addresses and phone numbers in terrorism-related cases.
However, Telegram later revised its privacy policy, and Durov promised to provide user data to law enforcement in cases involving cybercrime, illegal goods trafficking, and online fraud.
The updated policy states: "If Telegram receives a legal document from the relevant judicial authorities confirming that you are suspected of criminal activity that violates Telegram’s Terms of Service, we will conduct a legal review of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number."
Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France on August 24, 2024, in connection with a cybercrime case. He was accused of refusing to cooperate with authorities and of not moderating Telegram adequately, resulting in involvement in child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud. A few days later, Durov was released on bail with the condition that he would not leave France and report regularly to the police.
At the same time, Telegram stopped responding to requests from Russia after September 30, according to The Moscow Times on January 8, Wednesday. The company’s report emphasized that Telegram did not fulfill any requests from the Russian Federation during the first nine months of 2024.
According to Bleeping Computer, before Western countries pressured the messenger to change its user data policy, Telegram only disclosed users' IP addresses and phone numbers in terrorism-related cases.
However, Telegram later revised its privacy policy, and Durov promised to provide user data to law enforcement in cases involving cybercrime, illegal goods trafficking, and online fraud.
The updated policy states: "If Telegram receives a legal document from the relevant judicial authorities confirming that you are suspected of criminal activity that violates Telegram’s Terms of Service, we will conduct a legal review of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number."
Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France on August 24, 2024, in connection with a cybercrime case. He was accused of refusing to cooperate with authorities and of not moderating Telegram adequately, resulting in involvement in child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud. A few days later, Durov was released on bail with the condition that he would not leave France and report regularly to the police.
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