In a secret upgrade, Telegram removed its earlier guarantee that it would not assist law enforcement in obtaining user data. The Verge The modification was revealed on September 5, raising questions about the platform’s commitment to customer privacy. Unlike WhatsApp and Signal, Telegram does not automatically encrypt conversations, which could put user information at risk.
The FAQ originally stated, “All Telegram chats and group chats are private between their participants. We do not process any requests related to them.” However, this language has been replaced with instructions on how to report illegal content. The updated section now informs users that all Telegram apps have “Report” buttons, allowing users to immediately flag inappropriate content. Additionally, Telegram has provided an email address, abuse@telegram.org, for automated takedown requests. This update has hinted at the changing landscape of online privacy as platforms like Telegram adapt their policies in response to legal pressures.
The Verge Telegram spokesperson Remy Vaughn said there have been no changes to the app’s source code. “Private chats are also still private, though you can always report new incoming chats to moderators using Block > Report. Anyone can check Telegram’s open source code and see there have been no changes.”
CEO Pavel Durov released his first public statement since his arrest on Thursday evening, saying, “The sudden increase in the number of Telegram users to 950 million led to a growing number of problems, making it easier for criminals to abuse our platform.”
I’m still trying to understand what happened in France. But we hear the concerns. I made it my personal goal to prevent those who abuse Telegram’s platform from interfering with the future of our 950+ million users.
My full post is below.
—Pavel Durov (@durov) September 5, 2024
“That’s why I’ve made it my personal goal to ensure that we make significant improvements in this regard. We’ve already begun this process internally, and I’ll share more details about our progress with you soon.”
