Telegram, once praised for its privacy and security, is now under fire after a controversial update to its terms of service. The platform has stated that it will provide user data, including IP addresses and phone numbers, to authorities in connection with valid legal requests, such as search warrants. This change raises questions about Telegram’s privacy promise and has users worldwide thinking.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov stated earlier this week that the adjustment was necessary to combat criminal activity on the platform. “While the majority of our users are law-abiding, we cannot allow a small minority to abuse the platform for illegal practices,” Durov said. He emphasized that the measure is primarily aimed at protecting the reputation of Telegram and its user base.
The change means a significant change of direction for Durov and Telegram. Although the platform previously resolutely refused to cooperate with the authorities, it now seems to have had to bend under the pressure of the accusations. Concerns have been raised in France in recent months about Telegram’s alleged role in promoting criminal activities such as drug trafficking and child abuse. The platform was accused of cooperating with the police investigation, which led to a review of its policy.
Freedom of speech vs. security
The change has sparked a debate about the balance between freedom of speech and online security. Telegram has previously been criticized as a safe haven for disinformation and extreme content.
The ability to create groups of up to 200,000 members allows information to be disseminated on an unprecedented scale. This is unlike other platforms like WhatsApp, which limits groups to 1,000 members. Critics wonder if Telegram is doing enough to combat illegal activity on the platform.
Fear of cooperation with repressive regimes
A key concern is how this policy change will be applied in countries with authoritarian regimes. Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton warns that political dissidents, particularly in countries like Russia and Belarus, relied on Telegram’s previous resistance to government oversight for their security. The new circumstances are now raising fears that the platform could be used to persecute dissidents.
Telegram has already taken action against some problem groups in the past, but cybersecurity experts point out that its content moderation is weak compared to other social media platforms. Before the new policy was implemented, Telegram limited the provision of information to information about suspected terrorists, which many critics considered insufficient.
Experts: “Current regulations are not enough”
Daphne Keller of Stanford University’s Center on Internet and Society says the new changes are unlikely to meet stricter standards in countries like France. According to him, platforms like Telegram should not only make it difficult to find illegal content, but also actively participate in its removal and report serious violations to the authorities. “Merely responding to requests is not enough,” Keller emphasizes BBC.