Telegram Adopts AI Measures to Filter Data and Will Share User Information with Authorities

Telegram Adopts AI Measures to Filter Data and Will Share User Information with Authorities

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has announced a significant policy shift, agreeing to provide user IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities upon receiving valid legal requests. This decision comes in the wake of Durov's recent arrest in France and aims to prevent the misuse of the platform by criminals.

Historically resistant to government demands for user data, Durov modified Telegram's terms of service to enhance the platform's security measures, as reported by Bloomberg. French officials have raised concerns that Telegram, known for its privacy features and encryption, has become a hotspot for illegal activities.

Meredith Whittaker, president of the messaging app Signal, previously criticized such actions, emphasizing that they could undermine encryption and create security vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Preston Bryne, a senior fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, highlighted the potential consequences of Durov's case for online censorship, suggesting that European nations are attempting to control what foreign companies can host, which may lead to selective enforcement against political opponents.

In response to these allegations, French President Emmanuel Macron characterized them as part of an independent investigation, as reported by Le Monde. This policy change is likely to affect Telegram's business model, which has long prioritized user privacy. Compounding this shift, the company faced financial challenges in 2023, reportedly losing $259 million, according to documents reviewed by the Financial Times.