Telegram Founder Asserts App Was Created to Shield Users From ‘Corrupt Governments’

Since 2018, Telegram has shared the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals with law enforcement, provided the legal requests are properly verified.
In 2023, Telegram processed over 200 legal requests in Brazil and almost 7,000 in India.

Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, has reiterated the platform’s commitment to protecting users from “corrupt governments,” while addressing concerns about its privacy policies. Durov emphasized that while Telegram was designed to safeguard activists and ordinary citizens, it does not allow criminals to misuse the platform.

“Telegram was built to protect activists and ordinary people from corrupt governments and corporations,” Durov stated. “We do not allow criminals to abuse our platform or evade justice.”

Since 2018, Telegram has been able to share the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals with law enforcement, provided the requests meet legal standards. Durov highlighted that this year alone, the platform processed over 200 legal requests in Brazil and almost 7,000 in India. European authorities also increased their use of Telegram’s official communication channels under the EU’s Digital Services Act, resulting in more requests during Q3.

In August, Durov was arrested in France over allegations that the platform allowed illegal content, such as child pornography and drug sales, to circulate. This raised further questions about Telegram's content moderation policies. However, Durov reiterated that the platform’s foundational values remain unchanged, despite its compliance with local laws. Telegram recently updated its privacy policy to streamline its practices across different regions.

“Our core principles haven’t changed,” Durov assured, stressing that while Telegram cooperates with legal authorities, it continues to uphold its values of freedom and privacy.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah