Telegram will now hand over information to authorities

[examplens]

After the arrest, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov updated the app's security and privacy policies,  the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate rules can be disclosed to authorities in valid legal requests. A significant change considering that Telegram was considered one of the applications with a somewhat higher level of anonymity.
They claim it was their decision, but apparently, the arrest pushed the matter.

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

Durov's (CEO of Telegram) article regarding the Telegram Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://t.me/durov/345

Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. All the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible. If you still manage to find something unsafe or illegal in Telegram Search, please report it to us via @SearchReport.

To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.

[goldkingcoiner]

After the arrest, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov updated the app's security and privacy policies,  the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate rules can be disclosed to authorities in valid legal requests. A significant change considering that Telegram was considered one of the applications with a somewhat higher level of anonymity.
They claim it was their decision, but apparently, the arrest pushed the matter.

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

Durov's (CEO of Telegram) article regarding the Telegram Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://t.me/durov/345

Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. All the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible. If you still manage to find something unsafe or illegal in Telegram Search, please report it to us via @SearchReport.

To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.

Technology is still too centralized. We will never have our freedom until it is decentralized enough.

Telegram CEO never made any choices because he never had any choices.

Effectively fighting scams should not require you to lose your freedom and anonymity.

[Nwada001]

I woke up this morning and saw this on his official Telegram channel since I'm a subscriber. The same thing you said above was what came out of my mind.
 
A lot of us already know that it will get to this stage since his detention and release from the French custody, and yet he was prohibited from leaving the country. It was certain that they were already cooking something that they wanted to force him to do.
 
For those who see Telegram as one of their secured places for business due to the anonymity features, I think it's time for them to start looking for alternative options because this handing over of users phone number and IP location won't only be done to those who violate their policies, as he said, but it can be handed over to whomever authorities request  it. Anonymity was never guaranteed under a centralised platform. 

[lionheart78]

Certainly, these changes in information security will have a huge impact on the users.  I believe those who don't want their information be submitted to the authority will avoid using telegram.

Many had been using telegram for fraud and scam purposes, I have seen a lot an been a victim of the scheme where they invited people to do certain tasks in reward for cyptocurrency but get unpaid in the end.

Technology is still too centralized. We will never have our freedom until it is decentralized enough.

Telegram CEO never made any choices because he never had any choices.

Effectively fighting scams should not require you to lose your freedom and anonymity.

It is to be expected, people who wanted to profit from their creation will automatically resort to centralized system.  Only a few individual have passion to share their technology without profit for user's convinience.

[SmartGold01]

After the arrest, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov updated the app's security and privacy policies,  the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate rules can be disclosed to authorities in valid legal requests. A significant change considering that Telegram was considered one of the applications with a somewhat higher level of anonymity.
They claim it was their decision, but apparently, the arrest pushed the matter.

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

Durov's (CEO of Telegram) article regarding the Telegram Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://t.me/durov/345

Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. All the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible. If you still manage to find something unsafe or illegal in Telegram Search, please report it to us via @SearchReport.

To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.

I knew it would all end this way and that was he was arrested just to reveal the backend keys to them. Although it's good thing but it's not secure as you said. Anything else? Well I think this is another push for new app to be launched which might likely take the telegram space since it's real purpose has been defeated as a number 1 anonymity app for businesses. Current there is a threat for large business such as huge communities which solely rely on telegram to disseminate information. Without this I don't think there would be a way for his easy release and I believe since everything has changed it wouldn't take time for his outcoming.

[PX-Z]

Telegram CEO never made any choices because he never had any choices.

He had many choices actually, before the arrest, he knows already that he is wanted in France but he still undisturbed and go there underestimating France authority, that's why he was arrested just when he landed on the airport. And, now, yes, he never had any choices but to follow X country/authority rules, especially for illegal doings on the tg platform.

[Minor Miner]

Telegram CEO never made any choices because he never had any choices.

He had many choices actually, before the arrest, he knows already that he is wanted in France but he still undisturbed and go there underestimating France authority, that's why he was arrested just when he landed on the airport. And, now, yes, he never had any choices but to follow X country/authority rules, especially for illegal doings on the tg platform.

According to the news I read before, it was the French president who invited him to France and this is more like a trap than him going there with an attitude of underestimating French authority. His arrest in France appears to be politically motivated rather than related to any criminal offence as the French government has claimed. So I think it's almost impossible for him to escape because they will do everything they can to catch him. That is also the reason why Russia continuously asked France to release him even though he no longer has Russian citizenship.

What I am thinking is that after he agrees to cooperate and comply with the requests of the French authorities, will he be released or will he continue to be banned from leaving France?

[Cryptomultiplier]

After the arrest, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov updated the app's security and privacy policies,  the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate rules can be disclosed to authorities in valid legal requests. A significant change considering that Telegram was considered one of the applications with a somewhat higher level of anonymity.
They claim it was their decision, but apparently, the arrest pushed the matter.

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

Durov's (CEO of Telegram) article regarding the Telegram Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://t.me/durov/345

Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. All the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible. If you still manage to find something unsafe or illegal in Telegram Search, please report it to us via @SearchReport.

To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.

I have got to understand that when the government arrest these C.E.Os that champion the anonymity cause, they suddenly loosen up and agree to become regulated or monitored.

I like the fact also that this happened because the cases of telegram scams has been increasing lately and also is the case of unknowingly granting permission to an imbedded malware to hack into an unsuspecting victims device after just a click on a link.

[Free Market Capitalist]

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

It is the eternal dilemma between freedom and security. Normally what gives us freedom and privacy also gives it to criminals, and those who defend a large state with great powers to control more and more do so arguing that this will better control criminals and that if you are an honest citizen you don't have to worry.

For example cash gives you more freedom and privacy than CBDCs, just as they give it to criminals.

In this case, I imagine that some alternative to Telegram could come out? In the same way that the state never tires of increasing its control mechanisms, the inventiveness of citizens to avoid them does not stop.

[Accardo]

Technology is still too centralized. We will never have our freedom until it is decentralized enough.

Telegram CEO never made any choices because he never had any choices.

Effectively fighting scams should not require you to lose your freedom and anonymity.

Techs with a central body like a CEO can't be tagged as decentralized, less they is nobody who controls the affairs of the system. However, the anonymity of telegram was misused for illicit purposes beyond scams, from the allegations on him that led to this change of terms, telegram was used for drug trafficking, and distribution of child sexual abuse images. While it's not questionable whether it's true or not, any platform with a strong privacy like telegram had will most likely be a cove for bad actors.

As for scam, he fought it using the notoscam bot that enables members to report scammers and a red tag "scam" will be added to the scammer's account.  

[PX-Z]

According to the news I read before, it was the French president who invited him to France and this is more like a trap than him going there with an attitude of underestimating French authority...

Can you tell the news article particularly, i didn't read the same like that. It was just mentioned the travel was personal and not business related.

What I am thinking is that after he agrees to cooperate and comply with the requests of the French authorities, will he be released or will he continue to be banned from leaving France?

He was released in bail but still in France and under surveillance. Probably this new guidelines from TG is one of the requests or ruling to the CEO, maybe for him to get released.

While there are many suspicions that Durov's arrest might have political motives, due to his Russian nationality but the France President tells otherwise. But who knows...

[DaveF]

Telegram CEO never made any choices because he never had any choices.

He had many choices actually, before the arrest, he knows already that he is wanted in France but he still undisturbed and go there underestimating France authority, that's why he was arrested just when he landed on the airport. And, now, yes, he never had any choices but to follow X country/authority rules, especially for illegal doings on the tg platform.

According to the news I read before, it was the French president who invited him to France and this is more like a trap than him going there with an attitude of underestimating French authority. His arrest in France appears to be politically motivated rather than related to any criminal offence as the French government has claimed. So I think it's almost impossible for him to escape because they will do everything they can to catch him. That is also the reason why Russia continuously asked France to release him even though he no longer has Russian citizenship.

What I am thinking is that after he agrees to cooperate and comply with the requests of the French authorities, will he be released or will he continue to be banned from leaving France?

People who do not study history are doomed to repeat it:
https://www.newsweek.com/volkswagen-executive-arrested-conspiracy-charges-over-emissions-scandal-540292

Does not matter why you are there or what country it is. If there is an arrest warrant for you someplace, don't go there if you don't want to get arrested.

Period. Full stop. End of line.

Ignoring the privacy things and everything else. This was a PR stunt by that backfired on him. 'Look I am going here and they won't do anything to me because I am right and they are wrong'

Nope.....

-Dave

[DubemIfedigbo001]

It isn't surprising to me, I already know the arrest wasn't ordinary and he'll not pull through this without dancing to their tunes, it's obvious we lost one fight against freedom of speech and expression. Very soon, they might even implement controlled content like other social media platforms. It could only take time until they're fully subjective to the demands of the authorities.

I am not also surprised totally since it's a centralized scheme and total anonymity can never be obtained from centralization. Could we turn our faces to decentralized social media platforms like Diamond app and co which is not controlled by a single company or entity? I think proper decentralization of social media would fix this problem.

[Rruchi man]

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

The number of users in Telegram will reduce with this development because that app seems to have had more scammers than legit individuals with genuine intentions. Telegram would not just give out your private information if it is not requested legally by a security agency or the government, so if you have no bad intentions and are not a scammer or cybercriminal, the Telegram app is still considered very safe for your use, although no longer private.

[Davidvictorson]

In a similar thread here, I gave the same response which I don't think has changed. I don't care. The only people who would care about the release of their information to the government by Telegram are those who use the platform to perpetrate all types of scams and those who are thriving in it. Aside that I am sure those who are on the platform because of airdrop hunting don't care. One thing is for sure though and that it any other platform that may have the clause that they will share users information with third party and you know what because we don't read their privacy document we wouldn't know.

[cabron]

Durovs life probably depends on this decision and giving in is understandable after the arrest. It's no wonder anymore that big personalities like Elon are not untouchable. They can do this to anyone.

But it's also going to deter the predator on the platform. There are many pedos and scammers in the chats, I receive their PMs all the time having fake profile pictures with them telling me to invest and make money.  The telegram chat though is still useful for communication.

[Zlantann]

Techs with a central body like a CEO can't be tagged as decentralized, less they is nobody who controls the affairs of the system. However, the anonymity of telegram was misused for illicit purposes beyond scams, from the allegations on him that led to this change of terms, telegram was used for drug trafficking, and distribution of child sexual abuse images. While it's not questionable whether it's true or not, any platform with a strong privacy like telegram had will most likely be a cove for bad actors.

Telegram is not a decentralized system, but the platform was able to centrally protect users' data from the government. It was not perfect, but it made government access to information difficult, which was good. Now, with a simple police report or request from the courts, users' information can be submitted to the government.

Criminals will always take advantage of any opportunity to carry out their nefarious actions. Even Bitcoin's decentralized nature has also been misused. Submitting the details of suspected criminals to the government is not a bad idea, but the government might use this new policy as an excuse to engage in a political witch-hunt, surveillance and invasion of privacy.

[coolcoinz]

Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. (...)

To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search,

Oh yeah, because it's about telegram search. Nope, it's about privacy of conversation. I couldn't care less about the search function.
What I care about is that when I talk to someone that isn't being read by someone else to make sure we both are safe and aren't talking about anything illegal.

We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.

To ensure our safety they're letting the government agencies know that they can wrap their protective cloak around us to make us warm and cozy. Time to stop using telegram, I guess.

[OgNasty]

I’m totally against what happened to the Telegram CEO and I don’t like what Telegram is now doing. However, Telegram was the biggest scammer communication network ever built by mankind. I’ve made my life so much easier by just never using it. In that sense, I am happy that some of these scammers will now find themselves in some hot water.

[shield132]

After the arrest, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov updated the app's security and privacy policies,  the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate rules can be disclosed to authorities in valid legal requests. A significant change considering that Telegram was considered one of the applications with a somewhat higher level of anonymity.
They claim it was their decision, but apparently, the arrest pushed the matter.

It may be a good thing in detecting scams, but it will significantly affect all businesses that rely on anonymity on Telegram.

Durov's (CEO of Telegram) article regarding the Telegram Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://t.me/durov/345

Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. All the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible. If you still manage to find something unsafe or illegal in Telegram Search, please report it to us via @SearchReport.

To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.

We are going in a very wrong direction. At first, we had no-kyc services, but they got banned. Then Bitcoin mixers got banned, now privacy-focused messaging app gets banned. What's next? Decentralization is a great escape for us. We need a platform where people will be able to send encrypted messages but there will be no central power capable of revealing any information. Imagine, if Bitcoin wasn't decentralized, they would set censorship on Bitcoin transactions.

Telegram would not just give out your private information if it is not requested legally by a security agency or the government, so if you have no bad intentions and are not a scammer or cybercriminal, the Telegram app is still considered very safe for your use, although no longer private.

Are there guarantees? Are you sure that Telegram won't reveal absolutely every info about you? I think that giving away information if the government requests, is a mascarade. You never know when they give away your info and when not. For your safety, it's better to assume that you are monitored without official request from government