Telegram to Provide User Data to Authorities Upon Legal Request

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The Facts

  • Telegram Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov announced in a post on his channel on the platform on Monday that the messaging app will provide user data to authorities "in response to valid" court orders.

  • According to its updated privacy policy, IP addresses and phone numbers of suspected criminals in cases that violate terms of services may be disclosed following a legal analysis of the request. As of Sunday, that applied only to terror suspects.

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

After years of operating as if it were above the law, outrageously refusing to cooperate with authorities, and allowing criminal activity on the app to go on undeterred, Telegram is now taking steps to help law enforcement. And it's no coincidence that these changes follow the arrest of Durov — this was precisely the reality check needed.

Establishment-critical narrative

That Telegram has departed from its original privacy policy because France arrested Durov is indeed the most likely explanation — and this is quite concerning as other governments may rely on the same playbook to expand control over online speech and privacy. It's now clear that only a decentralized, community-run network can prevent censorship.

Metaculus Prediction

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