Messaging app Telegram significantly increased its cooperation with French authorities in the latter half of 2024, providing user data in response to hundreds of official requests.
The shift came after the platform’s founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris and charged with multiple offenses, including alleged negligence in controlling criminal content on the platform.
Sharp Increase in Compliance
Figures released by Telegram reveal a dramatic surge in the platform’s responsiveness to French judicial requests. In the first half of 2024, Telegram provided user data in just 10 cases. By contrast, the platform responded to 210 cases between July and September and an unprecedented 673 cases in the final quarter of the year.
In total, the data shared by Telegram impacted 2,072 users, with more than half of those cases concentrated in the October-December period. The data provided primarily included users’ IP addresses and telephone numbers.
The steep rise in compliance followed Durov’s high-profile arrest in August. Held in Paris for four days, Durov was charged with failing to adequately moderate criminal content on Telegram. Following his release, Durov was barred from leaving France pending further legal proceedings.
Durov’s Defense and Platform Changes
Durov, who holds Russian, French, and UAE citizenship, has denied any wrongdoing, attributing past delays in cooperation to bureaucratic inefficiencies. He and his supporters argue that many requests for user data from French and European authorities were incorrectly routed and, therefore, went unanswered.
Despite these claims, Telegram has since taken steps to improve its collaboration with law enforcement. The company has rolled out updates to its moderation policies, ostensibly aimed at boosting its responsiveness to judicial requests.
A source close to Durov’s legal case told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in December that Telegram is now more frequently cooperating with judicial authorities in France and beyond. These efforts are seen as part of the platform’s broader attempt to repair its image and address concerns over its use by criminal networks.
Broader Implications
The increased compliance raises questions about the balance between user privacy and legal obligations. Telegram has long marketed itself as a privacy-focused platform, often resisting government demands for user data. The recent developments may cause some users to question the platform’s commitment to safeguarding their personal information.
However, critics argue that the platform’s previous stance enabled bad actors to exploit its features, prompting legal action and stricter oversight. French authorities have emphasized the importance of cooperation from technology companies in combating organized crime and other illegal activities.
Future Uncertainty
Durov’s legal battle continues, with no clear resolution in sight. His inability to leave France has not hindered Telegram’s operations, which remain under his leadership. How the ongoing case will influence Telegram’s long-term policies and reputation remains uncertain.
As scrutiny from governments intensifies, Telegram’s shift in policy highlights the complex challenges faced by tech companies operating in jurisdictions with conflicting priorities of privacy and public safety.
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