Telegram CEO
Pavel Durov, facing charges in
France, has agreed to provide user data, including “IP addresses and phone numbers,” to government authorities if they have “valid legal requests.”
Durov announced Monday that Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging app touted by users for its privacy strengths, will disclose the data of users who violate the app’s rules to relevant authorities “in response to valid legal requests.” The announcement marks a dramatic shift in Telegram’s policy, which previously emphasized strong privacy protections and limited cooperation with governments.
Durov, a 39-year-old billionaire who holds both French and Russian passports, was arrested in France last month and charged with facilitating criminal activities through Telegram, including the distribution of child pornography. In response, Durov announced on Monday that Telegram has updated its terms of service to deter criminals from exploiting the platform.
Durov wrote in a post on Telegram that the move to update policies was in part about “ensuring they are consistent across the world” and would aim to improve the platform’s security measures.