(Bloomberg) — Telegram, the messaging app, will now share users’ IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities in response to legitimate legal requests, as stated by Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov.
In a post on Telegram on Monday, Durov explained that the platform updated its terms of service to prevent misuse by criminals. This decision follows his recent arrest in France, where he faces allegations of involvement in the distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
This is a significant departure from Telegram’s history of lenient moderation and how it handles demands for data from the authorities. The website, which is situated in the United Arab Emirates, is well known for being unresponsive to removal orders from governments all over the world and for frequently ignoring requests for information regarding suspected criminals.
As part of its efforts to avoid misuse, the app has started to hide harmful content from its search results using artificial intelligence and a team of censors, according to Durov.
In August, Russian-born Durov was prosecuted by French prosecutors for allegedly committing crimes on the app. The millionaire CEO is portrayed in the case as the leader of an organization that declined to give information to the police so they might aid with legal wiretaps on alleged offenders.
Durov disputes the accusations, and he has been told to stay in France while the investigation is ongoing.
Governments from the European Union to totalitarian regimes in Russia and Iran have taken issue with Telegram under Durov. It has served as a gathering place for radicals and conspiracy theorists as well as a tool for demonstrators looking to organize against the government.
For example, American white supremacists have been coordinating attacks on electricity infrastructure using Telegram for years.
In 2018, the Kremlin made an attempt to shut down Telegram, but failed, and two years later, changed its mind. The Russian regulator stated that Durov had indicated he would assist in combating extremism and terrorism when the restriction was lifted.
Following Durov’s arrest, Telegram has implemented several policy adjustments. Earlier this month, the platform halted new media uploads, with Durov stating that the measure was designed to prevent bots and scammers.