“Telegram has updated its terms of use and privacy policy”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
“To prevent attackers from abusing Telegram search, we’ve updated our terms of use and privacy policy to ensure they’re consistent across the globe. We have made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our policies may be disclosed to appropriate authorities in response to lawful requests,” the statement said.
Durov explains that Telegram search allows users to find public channels and bots, but this feature is abused by people who violate the messenger’s terms of use to sell illegal goods.
“Over the past few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, using artificial intelligence, has made searching on Telegram much safer. All of the problematic content we found in search is no longer available… We will not allow attackers to compromise the integrity of our platform for nearly a billion users,” the post said.
If earlier in Telegram’s terms of use it was stated that the IP addresses and phones of users can be disclosed only if law enforcement agencies suspect them of terrorism, now the wording has changed: “If Telegram receives a valid warrant from the relevant judicial authorities, which confirms that you is a suspect in a case of criminal activity that violates Telegram’s terms of service, we will conduct a legal analysis of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities,” the new version of the rules states.
Pavlo Durov was detained at the French Le Bourget airport on the evening of August 24. He was interrogated and placed in custody. Four days later, Durov was released under judicial supervision with a requirement to pay a bail of five million euros.
Refusal to cooperate with the authorities is one of the six charges brought against Durov in France. Most of the accusations boil down to the fact that serious crimes are committed with the help of the Telegram messenger.