Telegram has quietly updated its policy, now allowing users to report private chats to moderators.
This change follows the recent arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France. Durov was detained last month over allegations related to “crimes committed by third parties” on the platform.
Previous Policy and New Features
According to The Verge, Telegram’s previous FAQ stated that private chats were protected from moderation requests, asserting: “All Telegram chats and group chats are private amongst their participants. We do not process any requests related to them.”
The policy has now been updated. The new FAQ page notes that “All Telegram apps have ‘Report’ buttons that let you flag illegal content for our moderators — in just a few taps.” Users can now report messages directly using these buttons.
It remains unclear how this policy update affects Telegram’s cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Historically, Telegram has complied with court orders to provide user information when requested.
Durov’s Public Statement
In his first statement since his arrest, Durov criticized the legal action against him as a “misguided approach” for using outdated laws against a CEO for third-party crimes, arguing that legal action should target the service, not its management.
Key Points from Durov’s Statement
Durov shared several key points on his Telegram channel:
- Telegram has an official representative in the EU who handles law enforcement requests, and this contact information is publicly available.
- French authorities had multiple ways to contact him, including his frequent visits to the French consulate in Dubai and past cooperation in establishing a hotline for terrorism threats in France.
- He argued that legal actions should target the service itself rather than the CEO, noting that such an approach could stifle technological innovation.
Balancing Privacy and Security
Durov acknowledged the challenge of balancing privacy with security. He mentioned that Telegram strives to align its practices with both local and international laws while maintaining a consistent global approach. Telegram has previously exited markets when its principles conflicted with local regulations, such as in Russia and Iran.
Ongoing Efforts and Transparency
Durov admitted that Telegram is not perfect but stressed that the platform actively moderates harmful content and collaborates with NGOs to process urgent requests. The platform publishes transparency reports and is committed to improving its moderation practices.
Durov concluded by addressing concerns over Telegram’s rapid growth, stating,
Telegram’s abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform.
He assured users that efforts are underway to improve the platform and will provide updates on progress soon. You can read his full post on his channel.