Tech Desk 
Sep 24, 2024
Telegram has announced a significant change to its privacy policy. The firm would be sharing the user data with the authorities over valid legal requests; the data would include the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and phone numbers of the users.
However, this decision marks a notable reversal for CEO Telegram Pavel Durov.
This came after Durov was detained by the French authorities last month for allegedly enabling criminal activity, such as distributing child abuse images and trafficking narcotics.
The complaint raises concern over Telegram's role in facilitating crime. Telegram has updated its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to curb criminal activity on the service.
Read more: YouTube Music web app now syncs queue from your phone
The company would hand over user IP addresses and phone numbers to law enforcement, use artificial intelligence (AI) moderation in a way that obscures what's problematic, and remove unlawful content, including child abuse images.
Critics believe that the new moves by Telegram may compromise the privacy of its users and possibly grant surveillance by governments. This move might imperil political dissidents' safety as the network had promised to be a safe medium through which political views can be shared.
Users worry about Telegram's cooperation with repressive regimes. Telegram has removed some groups in the past, but its moderation system has been criticised. The platform's feature allowing groups of up to 200,000 members has raised concerns about misinformation and terror-related content.
