CEO and co founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has stated that it will share some users’ data in response to valid law enforcement requests, Edum News reports.
He stated that he has agreed to hand over users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities who have search warrants or other valid legal requests.
Durov noted that the change to its terms of service and privacy policy should discourage criminals.
He added, “While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities create a bad image for the entire platform, putting the interests of our almost billion users at risk”.
The announcement marks a significant reversal for Mr Durov, the platform’s Russian-born co-founder who was detained by French authorities last month at an airport just north of Paris.
Days later, prosecutors there charged him with enabling criminal activity on the platform.
Allegations against him include complicity in spreading child abuse images and trafficking of drugs. He was also charged with failing to comply with law enforcement.
Durov however, denied the charges, stating that holding him responsible for crimes committed by third parties on the platform was both surprising and misguided.
Written by Hope Hames
