Telegram Reveals Longstanding Practice of Disclosing Criminal IPs Since 2018

Telegram's Commitment to Privacy and Data Disclosure

In a recent announcement, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, clarified the platform's long-standing policy regarding data disclosure related to criminal activities. This statement, made on October 2, has sparked discussions and concerns among users.

Clarification on Data Policies

Durov emphasized that Telegram has been disclosing user IP addresses and phone numbers linked to criminal activity since 2018. His comments were aimed at dispelling any misconceptions stemming from his earlier post which some perceived as a shift in Telegram's privacy operations.

Compliance with Legal Requests

According to Durov, Telegram adheres to legal requests for data in accordance with its privacy policies. The platform verifies all legally provided requests before sharing information about users deemed dangerous criminals.

Transparency Report

To support his claims, Durov referenced the data collected from Telegram's Transparency Bot, which provides insights into how many data requests are processed annually. For instance, in Brazil, Telegram responded to:

• 75 legal requests in Q1 2024
• 63 in Q2
• 65 in Q3

In India, which is Telegram's largest market, the figures were significantly higher with:

• 2461 legal requests fulfilled in Q1
• 2151 in Q2
• 2380 in Q3

Maintaining Core Principles

Durov reaffirmed that Telegram is committed to privacy and freedom. The platform aims to harmonize its privacy policy across various countries while complying with local laws - provided these laws align with Telegram's foundational principles of protecting users from abuses by corrupt governments and corporations.

The Mission Against Criminal Abuse

Highlighting Telegram’s purpose, Durov concluded that making the platform safe for activists and regular individuals remains a priority. Telegram will not allow criminals to exploit its services or elude justice.

Conclusion

This ongoing commitment to transparency and user privacy underscores Telegram’s efforts to protect its users while ensuring compliance with legal standards. As the platform evolves, staying true to its core values is crucial for maintaining user trust.