In the past weeks, the shock arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of the social media network Telegram has made global headlines and highlights yet another battle between big tech and national security services keen to bring such platforms to heel. Particularly over the issue of data sharing and content moderation policies.
The Arrest of Pavel Durov
On August 24, 2024, Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport in France on charges related to the platform’s alleged failure to control criminal activity.
Durov’s arrest has naturally sent alarm bells ringing through the tech community, with the Telegram founder having long been a staunch advocate for user privacy and freedom of expression. Following his release on bail, Durov expressed his surprise at the detention while criticising what he claims are outdated laws which hold CEOs accountable for user-generated content. Durov stated “Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach”.1
A Major Policy U-turn
In response to the company founder’s arrest, Telegram has signalled a radical overhaul of its data-sharing policies. The platform will now disclose user data including IP addresses and phone numbers to law enforcement agencies after receiving valid legal requests. This marks a u-turn from the company’s notoriously hardline stance against cooperation with authorities, which many believe to be the cause of the platform becoming a hotbed of illegal activity. Durov recently explained that this change aims to deter criminal activity on the platform while ensuring that the vast majority of users remain protected.
Additionally, Telegram is enhancing its content moderation efforts. Establishing a dedicated team of moderators who will make use of artificial intelligence in order to identify and remove content deemed problematic from search results with Durov emphasising that “Telegram Search is meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods,”.2
A New Approach to Content Moderation
These changes come amidst escalating scrutiny of messaging platforms regarding their lax approach towards investigating illegal activities on the platform. Telegram has faced criticism for its moderation policies over the years, Including by Russia’s current press secretary earlier this year: Kremlin delivers warning to Telegram boss
And with over one billion active monthly users, the platform now recognises the need to manage its policies in order to balance public safety concerns on the one hand while still protecting user privacy.
Durov’s announcement also included updates to Telegram’s private chat function, previously not subject to moderation, as well as promising to introduce tools allowing users to more easily flag content deemed harmful. Signalling a shift within the company towards increasing safety measures in line with the demands of authorities.
What does it mean for Users?
While many users will see these changes as bringing clear improvements to their own safety on the platform, others remain concerned as to how Telegram will handle data requests from authorities in repressive regimes. With critics questioning whether this new policy could compromise user privacy in countries where dissent is often severely punished. Durov however has assured users Telegram will continue to prioritise their privacy even as it cooperates with law enforcement, stating that “99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime,” 3
What Next?
As Telegram navigates these challenges, the tech community will be watching with close attention to see how effectively the platform can implement these new policies without alienating its user base and/or compromising on its core values as an open marketplace of ideas. In conclusion, Telegram’s recent policy shifts represent a major overhaul in its approach to both user data and content moderation. As messaging apps like Telegram, Twitter and Whatsapp become increasingly integral to global communication, platforms may expect to come under simultaneously increasing scrutiny from state and intelligence services actors, potentially setting new rules for the management of data and privacy online.
Resources:
- https://afcacia.io/telegram-overhauls-privacy-and-content-moderation-policies-after-founders-arrest/
- Yahoo tech-Telegram just announced a big change
- https://www.businessinsider.com/telegram-work-with-officials-privacy-pavel-durov-criminal-activity-2024-9?international=true&r=US&IR=T
- https://www.politico.eu/article/telegram-used-terrorist-purposes-kremlin-russia-dmitry-peskov-pavel-durov/
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