Telegram has changed its privacy statement and will share user information to authorities
Once well-known for its robust privacy protections, Telegram has changed its data-sharing approach significantly. Beginning September 23, the messaging platform will start giving authorities user information including IP addresses and phone numbers in response to authorized legal inquiries. Long seeing Telegram as a safe and private communication medium, privacy-conscious consumers have voiced worries over this change.
This upgrade represents a significant break from Telegram’s former posture on user privacy, in which safeguarding personal data was a fundamental tenet. The adjustment comes as Telegram tries to handle illegal activity on its network, including the use of its search feature to advertise illicit items and services. CEO Pavel Durov created this strategy to reduce illegal activity and guarantee the platform is a secure place for its customers.
Governments all across have pushed internet services like Telegram to collaborate with law enforcement and strengthen security protocols recently. To remove negative material and stop illicit usage of its services, Telegram has replied with using artificial intelligence algorithms and human moderation.
Though Telegram’s data sharing policy has attracted criticism, it is in line with policies followed by other messaging apps as WhatsApp and Meta’s Messenger, which already satisfy comparable regulatory demands. These systems exchange user data with authorities under specific criteria to prevent and investigate crimes.
As Telegram is juggling security and privacy, users question how these developments might impact their experience on the service. Many people find it difficult to keep trust on the formerly very private platform while also fulfilling legal requirements.
