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There has been a significant update to the Telegram user privacy system. The messaging app has said it will hand over users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities who have search warrants or other valid legal requests.
The company has also introduced new tools to tackle problematic content. The platform has updated its search feature to remove illegal material from search results.
Users can now report illegal search terms or content via the SearchReport bot, which will be reviewed by a human moderation team.
Also Read: France’s New LOPMI Law could Put Telegram’s Founder Behind Bars
Telegram user privacy upgrade includes details of data disclosures in its periodic transparency reports, which will also highlight how it collects metadata, such as IP addresses and usage history, to fight spam and abuse.
Previously, Telegram’s policy limited sensitive user information sharing to cases involving terror suspects.
Pavel said, “If Telegram receives a valid order from the relevant judicial authorities that confirms you’re a suspect in a case involving criminal activities that violate the Telegram Terms of Service, we will perform a legal analysis of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities.”
“If any data is shared, we will include such occurrences in a quarterly transparency report published at: https://t.me/transparency.”
Telegram user privacy system: Users are urged to report illegal or unsafe material through the @SearchReport bot, and Telegram claims that a moderator team will review all reports of search terms that can be used to find illegal content.
The move comes after Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested in France in connection with an investigation into Telegram’s use for fraud, drug trafficking, and illegal content distribution.
He was released on bail days later but instructed not to leave the country because French authorities were still investigating him.
Additionally, the Ukrainian government recently announced a ban on Telegram use by government officials and military personnel, citing national security risks.
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