Telegram's Shift in Data Sharing Post-Durov Arrest

Telegram, known for its strong privacy stance, is undergoing significant changes following the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, in France. Durov faces serious allegations, including complicity in child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud, which could result in lengthy prison sentences.

In response, Telegram has revised its policies to enhance cooperation with judicial authorities. The app will now share user IP addresses and phone numbers upon request for criminal investigations.

This marks a notable shift for the platform, which has historically resisted sharing user data except in cases of terrorism. Durov, who is out on bail and restricted from leaving France, acknowledged the challenges of balancing privacy and security.

The changes have sparked a mix of reactions, from concerns over free speech and platform moderation to the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in removing problematic content. As Telegram implements these adjustments, the tech community closely watches to see if they can appease legal scrutiny while upholding user trust.