Mon Sep 23 17:37:20 UTC 2024: ## Telegram Cracks Down on Illegal Activity, Will Share User Data with Authorities

**PARIS -** In a major shift, Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging app, announced it will now share user data with authorities in a crackdown on illegal activity. This move follows the arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov by French authorities last month.

Durov, who had previously emphasized Telegram’s commitment to privacy, stated that the company updated its terms of service and is actively blocking searches for illegal goods and activities. Users who attempt to share illegal content accessible through Telegram search will now have their IP addresses and phone numbers shared with law enforcement.

The decision comes after French authorities accused Telegram of complicity in allowing illegal material to be shared on the platform and failing to cooperate with law enforcement requests. Durov was also investigated for using certain types of cryptography in France without permission.

“Telegram search is meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods,” Durov stated in a post on Telegram. “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.”

Durov claims the company is using artificial intelligence to make Telegram search safer, ensuring problematic content no longer appears in the app’s search bar.

The shift in policy represents a significant change for Telegram, which has attracted users seeking greater privacy and has become a haven for illicit activities, including drug sales, crypto scams, and the sharing of child abuse images.

This announcement comes at a time when Telegram is increasingly integrated with the crypto industry. The platform uses the Open Network (TON), a blockchain network, to power popular crypto games and is increasingly embracing TON for its in-app currency and channel operator payments.

While Telegram’s change in policy is likely to be welcomed by authorities, it raises questions about the future of privacy on the platform.

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