Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, addressed concerns about the misuse of Telegramâs search functionality in a recent post, announcing significant updates to the platformâs moderation policies.
In his Telegram post, Durov emphasized that while Telegramâs search feature allows users to find public channels and bots more easily than other messaging apps, it has been exploited by individuals selling illegal goods.
Durov stated that those who violate the platformâs rules may be reported to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.
âWe have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. Weâve 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.â
Durov
Telegramâs updates
Over the past few weeks, Telegram has taken steps to enhance search safety by deploying a team of moderators who are leveraging artificial intelligence, according to Durov.
Durov stated that these efforts have made Telegram Search significantly safer, with problematic content removed. He urged users to report any remaining illegal or unsafe content.
To deter future abuse, Telegram has updated its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy globally. These revisions clarify that usersâ IP addresses and phone numbers violating the platformâs rules may be shared with authorities in response to valid legal requests.
This policy shift represents a marked change for Telegram, a platform previously known for prioritizing user privacy.
Durovâs post concluded with a reaffirmation of Telegramâs mission that Telegram Search is âmeant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods.â He added that the Telegram team âwonât let bad actors jeopardize the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users.â
Following his arrest, Telegram began complying with requests from law enforcement agencies, per French newspaper Le Figaro.Â
Le Figaro reported that Telegram responded to a request from a European Union member state regarding an investigation into a group suspected of commissioning contract killings.
Pavel Durovâs arrest
Durovâs message comes at a time when he has become the focus of legal investigations. In August, Durov was arrested in France following allegations that Telegram was being used for criminal activities, including drug trafficking and cybercrime.Â
His detention has led Telegram to increase cooperation with law enforcement authorities not only in France but also in several other countries.
Following his arrest, Durov publicly addressed the charges against him, defending Telegramâs moderation practices and criticizing authorities for targeting him directly. Durov expressed surprise at the legal action, emphasizing that Telegram has an official EU representative to handle law enforcement requests, questioning why authorities bypassed these channels to focus on him.Â
He described the charges as outdated, arguing that they hold him accountable for usersâ activities, while highlighting the platformâs robust content moderation and transparency efforts.
Durovâs recent actions mark a shift for Telegram, which had previously been reluctant to share user data with authorities. Whether these measures will be enough to satisfy critics and prevent further legal challenges remains to be seen.Â