Embattled Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Agrees to Share User Data with Authorities Amid Legal Pressure

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, known for championing privacy and resisting government surveillance, has reportedly agreed to share IP addresses and phone numbers of users who violate the platform’s terms of service. This decision marks a significant shift from Telegram’s previous stance of minimal cooperation with governments.

Durov, a French-Russian billionaire, announced the change following his recent arrest in France. He faces charges related to facilitating criminal activities through the app, including the spread of child pornography, money laundering, and drug trafficking. French authorities have leveled serious allegations, accusing Telegram of enabling illegal activity on a massive scale.

A Shift in Policy

In a message posted on his Telegram channel, Durov explained that the platform updated its terms of service to curb criminal activities. “We aim to ensure our policies are consistent worldwide and make it harder for bad actors to misuse our platform,” Durov wrote. Telegram, known for offering end-to-end encryption and prioritizing user privacy, has historically attracted millions of users who trust it to keep their communications secure. However, critics argue that these privacy features make Telegram a haven for criminal networks, facilitating activities such as money laundering and child exploitation.

The updated terms reflect a significant departure from Telegram’s previous policy, which often resisted government demands for user data. Now, Telegram will comply with valid legal requests for user information, including IP addresses and phone numbers.

Facing Legal Consequences

Durov’s legal troubles began in late August when French authorities detained him at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. He faces a range of charges, including enabling the distribution of child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking through Telegram. Despite maintaining his innocence, Durov remains under investigation and is prohibited from leaving France.

In response to the growing legal pressure, Durov has pledged to ramp up efforts to combat illegal activity on the platform. Telegram has introduced a “special team of moderators” using artificial intelligence to block problematic content from appearing in search results. “We won’t allow malicious actors to jeopardize the integrity of our platform for nearly a billion users,” Durov asserted.

A Global Privacy Debate

Durov’s decision to comply with government demands has sparked a global debate over the balance between privacy and security. While Telegram still collects less data than most messaging platforms, the company’s willingness to cooperate with authorities marks a significant change.

Durov has previously positioned himself as an opponent of government overreach. In 2014, he fled Russia after refusing to shut down opposition channels on VK, a popular Russian social media platform he founded. Despite claiming he’s been exiled from Russia, reports have surfaced that Durov has visited the country over 60 times since leaving.

In his defense, Durov argues that it is unfair to hold tech innovators responsible for criminal activity carried out using their platforms. “Building technology is hard enough as it is. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools,” he said in a recent post.

Growing Scrutiny from Governments

Telegram has come under increasing scrutiny from governments around the world. Ukraine’s National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity recently restricted the app’s use among military and government agencies, citing security concerns. Telegram remains a popular platform in Ukraine, but officials, including military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, have labeled it a threat to national security.

Despite Durov’s efforts to cooperate with legal authorities, the CEO faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the charges currently pending against him. Telegram’s future remains uncertain as it navigates the tension between protecting user privacy and preventing illegal activities.