Telegram changes privacy policy, will monitor private chats after CEO arrest

(kara wanker)

TELEGRAM HAS QUIETLY CHANGED ITS FAQ PAGE AND REMOVED A CLAIM THAT IT DID NOT HAVE PRIVATE CHATS MODERN. THIS UPDATE COMES NEARLY TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PLATFORM’S CEO PAVEL DUROVWAS ARRESTED IN FRANCE, ACCUSED OF ALLOWING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS CHILD EXPLOITATION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING, ON THE MESSAGES APPLICATION WITHOUT ADEQUATE INTERVENTION.

TELEGRAM HAS UPDATED THE FAQ ON ILLEGAL CONTENT. Previously, the FAQ stated that all chats were private and not subject to moderation requests.

IT NOW PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS FOR USERS ON HOW TO REPORT ILLEGAL CONTENT VIA THE PLATFORM’S “REPORT” BUTTONS.

DUROV’S THE ARREST ARISES ON ALLEGATIONS THAT THE TELEGRAM HAD BEEN USED FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL. FRENCH AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED THE PLATFORM FOR REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATORS ON THESE CONCERNS. DUROV HAD PREVIOUSLY FOLLOWED THAT THE TELEGRAM HAD “NOTHING TO HIDE”.

IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT AFTER THE ARREST, DUROV PROMISED TO STRENGTHEN THE PLATFORM’S MODERATION PRACTICES. HE BLAMED THE INCREASE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON TELEGRAM’S EXPLOSIVE GROWTH, NOW WITH MORE THAN 950 MILLION USERS, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS CAUSING “GROWING PAINS.”

IN A STATEMENT ON THURSDAY DUROV SAID:

“That’s why I’ve made it my personal goal to ensure that we significantly improve things in this area. We’ve already started that process internally and I’ll share more details about our progress with you soon.”

TELEGRAM HAS ADDED INSTRUCTIONS TO THE FAQ FOR REPORTING ILLEGAL CONTENT, BUT THE FULL EXTENT OF THESE CHANGES AND HOW THEY ADDRESS THE COMMON CONCERNS RAISED BY AUTHORITIES IS YET TO BE CLARIFIED.

FOR MORE OF OUR UNAUTHORIZED — FACTUALLY STRAIGHT REPORTING — DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APPLICATION OR VISIT US AT SAN – DOT – COM.