Telegram, which is a popular messaging app, has come up with an update on its privacy policy. The company claims to bring a ‘major change’ in its privacy policy. In an official update it said that Telegram will share the user’s IP address and data if suspected of illegal activities.
This will be the biggest change in Telegram’s privacy policy, says the CEO Pavel Durov. He explained that this step is to restrict users from misusing the platform. Here’s a look on how the change is going to impact you!
Telegram changes its privacy policy
According to the CEO Pavel Durov, “Telegram will provide users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.” In case legal authorities find them guilty or suspenseful, the accounts will go through a legal analysis. Furthermore, their accounts will be closed. He also added that this initiative came just after he faced allegations of illegal activities.
Durov further explained that with this new policy he aims to stop criminals from abusing or misusing the platform. Earlier the messaging platform only shared users data if they were suspected to be violating laws. But now with the new policy each and every user data will be shared. As the saying goes by ‘precaution is better than cure,’ Durov seems to go by old sayings!
So, what happened with the CEO of Telegram and why did he get arrested? Here’s what happened. In August French prosecutors had charged Russian-born Durov in connection with alleged crimes committed on the messaging app. The case alleged that the billionaire CEO had refused to provide law enforcement with data to assist legal wiretaps on suspected criminals.
The way ahead
The change in the ‘privacy policy’ seems to make a completely different picture of Telegram being non-responsive to ‘ data takedown requests’ from governments around the world. Early incidents suggest that the government has been requesting information about suspected criminals, which Telegram denied every time. So, this update can bring a major change looking at the early pictures!
Apart from strengthening security and changing ‘privacy policy’ Telegram has also started implementing artificial intelligence (AI). By implementing AI and a team of moderators, Telegram has now started to hide problematic content from its search results. For example hiding anything related to abuse or illegal activities (which allegedly Durov got arrested for) as part of Telegram’s plan to prevent misuse of users data. These regulations can also prevent the messaging app from suffering from face loss.
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