In a significant policy reversal, the popular messaging app Telegram has announced that it will provide user IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities in response to valid legal requests, aiming to combat criminal activity on the platform.
“We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests,” Telegram CEO Pavel Durov stated in a post.
The company has now explicitly articulated that, “If Telegram receives a valid order from the relevant judicial authorities that confirms you’re a suspect in a case involving criminal activities that violate the Telegram Terms of Service, we will perform a legal analysis of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities.”
Such data disclosures will be documented in its periodic transparency reports. Additionally, the service may collect metadata, including IP addresses, devices and Telegram apps used, and the history of username changes, to combat spam, abuse, and other violations.
Notably, a previous version of its policy restricted user information sharing to cases involving terror suspects: “If Telegram receives a court order that confirms you’re a terror suspect, we may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities.”
Alongside these changes, Telegram has updated its search feature to remove problematic content from search results. It has also introduced a mechanism for users to report illegal search terms and materials through the @SearchReport bot, allowing for review and removal by a human moderation team.
This update to Telegram’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy marks a major shift for the company, which has long resisted policing the platform, resulting in it becoming a haven for cybercrime and various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, child pornography, and money laundering.
The impetus for these changes also stems from the recent arrest of Durov in France, where he faced allegations of ignoring the proliferation of crime on the platform. Although he has since been released on bail, he has been ordered to remain in the country pending ongoing investigations.
Last week, the Ukrainian government announced a ban on Telegram for government officials, military personnel, and other defense and critical infrastructure workers, citing national security concerns.
