Telegram's new privacy rule will now share data with law enforcement
It would include IP addresses and phone numbers of terror suspects.
In a post on Telegram, Pavel Durov, the platform's CEO, announced that Telegram will now share user data with law enforcement if required.
This is a part of the CEO's plan not to let the "bad actors" ruin the platform's integrity for almost a billion users.
Roughly a month ago, Pavel was arrested and placed under formal investigation for allegedly allowing illegal activities, including drug trafficking, fraud and the spread of child sex abuse images to flourish on his site. This new policy revision comes as a way to tackle this problem directly.
According to the post, Telegram would turn in information, including the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who are terror suspects in response to valid legal requests.
In the past few weeks, the CEO says they've also been working hard to make Telegram a better place. This includes using AI to find any problematic content that pops up when using Telegram search.
Although somewhat justified, Telegram's new policy brings several concerns about users' privacy and freedom of speech. The platform is known for its ability to keep people anonymous but this major policy reversal might lead people to question how private their personal information really is.
While it may be a significant departure from its previous stance on user privacy, it is important to note that many other social media platforms have similar data-sharing practices. For example, Facebook, Instagram, and X have all been involved in controversies over their data collection and sharing policies.
This new policy can cause a lack of trust and might even lead people to abandon the platform, searching for more perceived private and secure alternatives. But, unless you identify as a terrorist, you have nothing to be worried about.
In addition, the company will be transparent and reveal if such data disclosure has been carried out in its periodic transparency reports. As of now though, "this has never happened".
Kelechi Edeh
