Telegram Updates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to Share Suspects' IP Addresses and Phone Numbers with Law Enforcement

Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, announced a series of updates on his personal channel yesterday, including changes to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as the unification of these terms globally.

Durov stated that the company has made it clear that for suspects involved in illegal activities, Telegram will share the IP addresses and phone numbers of the suspects with law enforcement agencies, provided that such agencies make an official request for the information.

In addition, Telegram has formed a professional content moderation team and significantly enhanced the safety of Telegram searches through the use of AI technology. Currently, all identified problematic content is inaccessible via search.

Recently, Durov was arrested by French police during a visit to France, and subsequently, the Paris Prosecutor's Office charged him with 12 criminal offenses. The outcome was that Durov was released on bail but is not allowed to leave France and must remain in the country for court proceedings.

Following these events, Telegram and Durov began to announce various news related to Telegram's moderation, shifting from a stance of non-cooperation with law enforcement in disclosing information to one where legitimate requests from law enforcement agencies will be honored.

The establishment of a content moderation team and the provision of a report button for users will help reduce the spread of illegal content on Telegram. This should ensure that Telegram gains regulatory approval and avoids further issues.