Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, announced on 23 September a series of measures aimed at enhancing the platform's security features to protect users from illegal activities. In a message to his 13 million followers on Telegram, Durov revealed that the search function, initially designed to help users find friends and discover news, had been exploited for illegal purposes. To combat this, a dedicated team of moderators, supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI), has been working to identify and remove problematic content, which is now inaccessible. Durov also urged users to report any unsafe or illegal activities via a Telegram bot within the app.

Background

Telegram's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy have been updated to allow the disclosure of users' IP addresses and phone numbers to relevant authorities upon valid legal requests. This change aims to discourage criminal activity on the platform. Durov assured users that these measures are intended to maintain the platform's integrity. The messaging app, which has over 950 million active users globally, was the fifth most used social media platform in Singapore in 2023, with 47.8% of internet users aged 16 to 64 using the app monthly, according to a study by We Are Social and Meltwater.

Authorities allowed to request for users' IP addresses & phone numbers

Telegram's updated policies now permit the disclosure of users' IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities upon valid legal requests. Durov emphasised that these changes are specifically targeted at deterring criminal activities on the app. He reassured users that the platform's integrity would not be compromised. The response from Telegram users has been largely positive, with many reacting to Durov's message with supportive emojis.

User reactions and platform statistics

The messaging application boasts over 950 million active users worldwide. In Singapore, Telegram was the fifth most used social media platform in 2023. According to a study by We Are Social and Meltwater, 47.8% of internet users aged 16 to 64 use the app each month. This widespread usage underscores the significance of the recent security updates and the platform's commitment to user safety.

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The recent changes to Telegram's policies mark a significant shift in the company's approach to user privacy and security. Previously, Telegram was known for its strong stance on user privacy, but the new measures reflect a balance between maintaining user privacy and complying with legal requirements to deter criminal activities. This development follows a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are increasingly cooperating with law enforcement to combat illegal activities online.