Key facts:
Users’ IP addresses and phone numbers will now be disclosed to authorities.
Durov says they will not allow bad actors to “jeopardize” the platform.
Following the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France last August, the platform announced changes that compromise user privacy.
On Monday, September 23, Durov announced on its official Telegram channel that now the IP addresses and phone numbers of users may be disclosed to authorities under certain conditions.
Durov argued that these changes are meant to “further deter criminals” from abusing the search function on the platform. According to the statement, the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy have been updated, “making sure they are consistent across the globe,” Durov said.
“We have made it clear that IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules may be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests,” he said.
Telegram’s CEO maintains the narrative that the platform “has been abused by people who have violated our terms of service to sell illegal products.” He stressed that “the search function on Telegram is meant to find friends and discover news, not to promote illegal products.”
“We will not allow bad actors to jeopardize the integrity of our platform for nearly a billion users,” Durov said, stressing the need for these measures. to protect the Telegram user community.
This change in Telegram’s privacy policy comes as Durov faces 12 charges in France, related to illegal activities allegedly facilitated by the platform. Although Durov has been released on bail and is awaiting trial, he is not allowed to leave France, according to recent reports.
Prior to these announcements, after his arrest, Durov had already promised certain changes to Telegram. Among them, it is mentioned that users They can flag illegal content in private chats for review, a further step towards content moderation on the platform.
These decisions reflect a new era for Telegram, where the promise of absolute privacy collides with the growing pressure of international laws and government demands. for more control over online communicationsTelegram’s global community, approaching one billion users, is closely watching how these changes will affect their experience and security on the platform.
Ukraine bans use of Telegram by military personnel and civil servants
On the other hand, Ukraine implemented a strict ban on government officials, military personnel and critical infrastructure personnel, preventing the installation of the messaging application on devices provided by the State. This measure is justified as essential for national security in the midst of the conflict with Russia, seeking to mitigate the risks of cyberattacks and espionage.
He announcement of the ban The announcement was made by Ukraine’s National Cyber Security Coordination Center, affecting government employees, defense and security workers, among others in critical roles. The statement was released via a Facebook post by Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council, detailing the urgency of the situation.
At a previous meeting on Thursday, September 20, the Security Service of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces warned about Russia’s use of Telegram for malicious activitiesincluding the distribution of malware and targeting users for missile strikes. Despite the ban, an exception will be made for those who need Telegram for their official duties.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian intelligence, stressed that Russian intelligence services can access personal information and messages, even those supposedly deleted, stressing that while he defends freedom of expression, this ban is a matter of national security.
This article was created using artificial intelligence and edited by a human on the editorial staff.