Why The Govt Could Access Your Telegram Data Going Forward
Your personal information, such as your phone number and IP address, from the widely-used messaging app Telegram, could soon be accessible to authorities.
Telegram has updated its privacy policy to deter criminal activities, according to CEO Pavel Durov.
Under the revised terms, Telegram may share a user’s IP address and phone number if a valid request is made by judicial authorities, particularly in cases involving breaches of the platform’s terms of service.
Durov emphasized that while the majority of Telegram users do not partake in illegal activities, a small fraction still poses a threat.
He pointed out that, “While 99.999% of Telegram users are not involved in any criminal behavior, the 0.001% who are tarnishing the platform’s reputation, endangering the privacy and security of nearly a billion users.”
In addition to IP addresses, the platform may also collect information such as username changes, devices used, and versions of Telegram apps accessed. The primary targets of the updated terms are individuals suspected of terrorism.
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Telegram, which was launched in 2013 by Durov and his brother Nikolai, originally positioned itself as a fast and secure messaging app with minimal government interference.
In August 2024, Durov faced arrest and charges related to enabling criminal activity on the platform, which he has dismissed as “misguided.”
As the platform approaches 950 million active users, Durov admitted that balancing privacy and security remains a significant challenge.
“That’s why I’ve made it a personal mission to ensure we make major strides in this area,” Durov stated. “We’ve already initiated this process internally, and I’ll provide more updates on our progress soon.”
In Kenya, an estimated 15.6 million people use Telegram, with its popularity rapidly growing across the country.
Meanwhile, countries like Ukraine have banned the app’s use by government officials, military personnel, and workers in critical sectors due to security concerns.
Why The Govt Could Access Your Telegram Data Going Forward
