Telegram boss wants to share user data with authorities: After arrest in France | Life & Knowledge

Telegram boss Pavel Durov gives in! The billionaire, who was arrested in France, now wants to pass on IP addresses and phone numbers of users of his encrypted messenger app to authorities if they are clearly acting criminally.

Durov, a French-Russian citizen, was arrested in France last month and faces several charges, including distributing child pornography on his popular messaging app. On Monday, he announced that Telegram had changed its terms of service to deter criminals.

Until now, Telegram has often ignored government requests for user data. The app, which has hundreds of millions of users worldwide, is known for its privacy protection and refusal to cooperate with government authorities. It offers end-to-end encrypted chats that only the sender and recipient can read.

However, critics claim that Telegram is the preferred means of communication for criminal organizations engaged in money laundering, human trafficking and the distribution of child pornography.

Telegram collects very little data compared to other messaging platforms. In the past, the company has said it would only share data with governments if the request is supported by a court order that is legally binding in the relevant jurisdiction.

Earlier this month, Durov vowed to step up efforts to combat criminal activity on his messaging app after French authorities filed preliminary charges against him.

The French allegations against Durov include that Telegram is used to exchange child pornography and drug trafficking and that the platform refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law.

Durov, who has long said he has “nothing to hide,” is not allowed to leave France while the investigation continues.

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