Telegram CEO Confirms Data Sharing Policy Amid Rising Legal Requests

By: Isha Das

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has confirmed that the messaging platform has been sharing criminals' IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities since 2018. In a recent post on his Telegram channel, Durov elaborated on the platform's updated privacy policy, which aims to streamline data sharing practices across multiple regions.

This policy update follows Durov's recent arrest in France, where he faced allegations related to Telegram's data practices. French authorities detained him for failing to moderate content and share user data, triggering widespread criticism.

IP Address Sharing

Durov clarified that Telegram has consistently shared criminals' IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities in countries such as Brazil, India, and several European nations. He stated, "Whenever we received a properly formed legal request via relevant communication lines, we would verify it and disclose the IP addresses/phone numbers of dangerous criminals. This process had been in place long before last week."

In 2024, Telegram complied with 203 requests in Brazil and 6,992 in India. An increase in legal requests was also noted during the third quarter of 2024, largely due to European authorities properly using the appropriate communication channels. Telegram’s Transparency Bot, which provides updates on processed data disclosures, remains active.

Despite these updates, Durov reaffirmed that Telegram’s fundamental principles remain intact, emphasizing that the platform continues to champion freedom and privacy while complying with relevant local laws.
He concluded, "Telegram was built to protect activists and ordinary people from corrupt governments and corporations – we do not allow criminals to abuse our platform or evade justice."