In a significant policy shift, the widely-used messaging app Telegram has announced a change in its stance towards user data privacy, agreeing to share IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities in response to valid legal requests 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 now explicitly states 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.”
Telegram will include such data disclosures in its periodic transparency reports, indicating that metadata like IP addresses, devices and Telegram apps used, and username change history may be collected to address spam, abuse, and other violations.
Previously, the policy applied only to 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.”
This shift in Telegram’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy marks a significant departure from its previous stance of non-interference, which had allowed the platform to become a hub for cybercrime and illicit activities, including drug trafficking, child pornography, and money laundering.
This shift is also a response to the arrest of Durov in France on allegations of negligence towards various crimes occurring unchecked on the platform. Although he has been released on bail, he is required to remain in the country pending further investigation.
Last week, the Ukrainian government announced a ban on the use of Telegram by government officials, military personnel, and critical infrastructure workers, citing national security concerns.