The Telegram platform is updating its rules on private chats following CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest in France. The app now allows users to report illegal content in private conversations, a feature that is new to Telegram users.
The new policy lets users flag illegal activity in private chats, which were previously not moderated or looked into.
Durov was arrested for allegedly allowing illegal content like child pornography and drug trafficking on the platform. He denies the charges but is required to stay in France as the case moves forward.
Durov addressed the situation following his release on bail, in a lengthy Telegram post. Here are the key insights:
- After his arrest, Durov said Telegram is willing to leave countries where it can’t agree with government rules on privacy and security.
- He mentioned past exits from Russia and Iran over similar issues.
“Establishing the right balance between privacy and security takes work. You must reconcile privacy laws with law enforcement requirements, and local laws with EU laws. You have to take into account technological limitations. As a platform, you want your processes to be consistent globally, while also ensuring they are not abused in countries with weak rule of law. We’ve been committed to engaging with regulators to find the right balance. Yes, we stand by our principles: our experience is shaped by our mission to protect our users in authoritarian regimes. But we’ve always been open to dialogue.”
“Sometimes we can’t agree with a country’s regulator on the right balance between privacy and security. In those cases, we are ready to leave that country. We’ve done it many times. When Russia demanded we hand over “encryption keys” to enable surveillance, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Russia. When Iran demanded we block channels of peaceful protesters, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Iran. We are prepared to leave markets that aren’t compatible with our principles because we are not doing this for money. We are driven by the intention to bring good and defend the basic rights of people, particularly in places where these rights are violated.”
These changes could help Telegram address concerns about illegal activities on its platform while balancing its focus on privacy.
How does this impact crypto?
- Telegram has a strong presence in the crypto world, holding $400 million in digital assets as of 2023. The platform has used the TON blockchain (Telegram Open Network) for various services, including cryptocurrency transactions.
- If Telegram pulls out of certain countries over regulatory conflicts, its crypto activities in those regions might also be affected.
- This is especially true for the increasingly popular tap-to-earn games, where more than half of the players are new to crypto.
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