<p>Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has said it will share with authorities the details of 'bad actors', a move that could fundamentally alter the privacy features of the encrypted messaging app. So fraudsters, porn peddlers and terror propagandists, beware!</p>

<p>The Russian-born Durov, who was arrested in France before being released on August 28, appears to be caving in amid pressure to share such details.</p>

<p>“Telegram’s abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That’s why I’ve made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve in this regard,” Durov wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday (Sep 23).</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Why has the Telegram founder and CEO been arrested?</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-has-the-telegram-founder-and-ceo-been-arrested-753505/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The plan is to share with authorities the IP (or internet protocol) address and phone numbers of those violating the terms of service of the platform.</p>

<p>Ensuring user privacy while cracking down on illegal activities has been a tough challenge for Telegram: Millions flocked to the messaging platform as their telephone numbers are not revealed to other users, and the messages are encrypted. That was the USP of the app, along with features like timed destruction of images and messages. But at the same time, Telegram became the slush pipe and criminal underground of the internet, as chat groups were created to share illicit content including child abuse material, and scammers, fraudsters, extremists and criminals used it to sell their goods and services and to recruit.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392">Also read:&nbsp;Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Durov said those who violate the app's rules will have their IP address and phone numbers shared to authorities “in response to valid legal requests.” The policy will apply across the world, he wrote.</p>

<p>The company will hold a legal analysis of the authorities' request for such details before disclosing user data to them, he said.</p>

<p>Earlier, the privacy policy was broken only if court orders were issued against those using the platform for promoting terrorism, something that never happened before as per Telegram's own transparency reports.</p>

<p>Telegram has in the past been accused by experts and authorities of being a place for terrorist recruitment and propaganda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Saying his aim is to make Telegram “safer and stronger,” Durov also mentioned a crackdown on those abusing its search function.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-pavel-durov-telegram-founder-and-ceo-arrested-in-france-753116">Also read:&nbsp;Who is Pavel Durov? Facts about Telegram CEO arrested in France who once claimed to have fathered 100 kids</a></strong></p>

<p>“Telegram search is meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods," Durov said.</p>

<p>The platform is now using artificial intelligence to weed out illegal content, making search feature much safer, he added.</p>

<p>Durov, who has citizenships of France and UAE, is facing a probe by French law enforcement authorities over the goings-on at Telegram.&nbsp;The charges against him facilitating on Telegram activities ranging from child pornography to drug trade.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has said it will share with authorities the details of 'bad actors', a move that could fundamentally alter the privacy features of the encrypted messaging app.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has said it will share with authorities the details of 'bad actors', a move that could fundamentally alter the privacy features of the encrypted messaging app. So fraudsters, porn peddlers and terror propagandists, beware! The Russian-born Durov, who was arrested in France before being released on August 28, appears to be caving in amid pressure to share such details. “Telegram’s abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That’s why I’ve made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve in this regard,” Durov wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday (Sep 23). Watch: Gravitas: Why has the Telegram founder and CEO been arrested? × The plan is to share with authorities the IP (or internet protocol) address and phone numbers of those violating the terms of service of the platform. Ensuring user privacy while cracking down on illegal activities has been a tough challenge for Telegram: Millions flocked to the messaging platform as their telephone numbers are not revealed to other users, and the messages are encrypted. That was the USP of the app, along with features like timed destruction of images and messages. But at the same time, Telegram became the slush pipe and criminal underground of the internet, as chat groups were created to share illicit content including child abuse material, and scammers, fraudsters, extremists and criminals used it to sell their goods and services and to recruit. Also read: Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report Durov said those who violate the app's rules will have their IP address and phone numbers shared to authorities “in response to valid legal requests.” The policy will apply across the world, he wrote. The company will hold a legal analysis of the authorities' request for such details before disclosing user data to them, he said. Earlier, the privacy policy was broken only if court orders were issued against those using the platform for promoting terrorism, something that never happened before as per Telegram's own transparency reports. Telegram has in the past been accused by experts and authorities of being a place for terrorist recruitment and propaganda. Saying his aim is to make Telegram “safer and stronger,” Durov also mentioned a crackdown on those abusing its search function. Also read: Who is Pavel Durov? Facts about Telegram CEO arrested in France who once claimed to have fathered 100 kids “Telegram search is meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods," Durov said. The platform is now using artificial intelligence to weed out illegal content, making search feature much safer, he added. Durov, who has citizenships of France and UAE, is facing a probe by French law enforcement authorities over the goings-on at Telegram. The charges against him facilitating on Telegram activities ranging from child pornography to drug trade. (With inputs from agencies)

Telegram to share 'bad' users' IP address, phone numbers to government authorities: CEO Durov

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuiduJtVs9raSmlP" />Police in South Korea have launched an investigation into whether Telegram abets online sex crimes, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep&nbsp;3), citing state media. The&nbsp;development was reported by the Yonhap news agency, quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The launch of this investigation comes after widespread outrage over&nbsp;digital deepfake pornography featuring South Korean women, with local media reporting such content is often found in Telegram chatrooms.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pavel-durov-was-too-free-in-his-approach-to-running-telegram-says-russia-755228">Pavel Durov was 'too free' in his approach to running Telegram, says Russia</a></strong></p>

<p>Last week, authorities pledged a crackdown on&nbsp;exploitative deepfake crimes in the country. This coincided&nbsp;with a French investigation into Telegram founder Pavel&nbsp;Durov,&nbsp;as authorities there probe organised crime on the platform.</p>

<h2><strong>'Probes into secure messages providers are...'</strong></h2>

<p>On Monday, the&nbsp;National Police Agency's commissioner,&nbsp;Cho Ji-ho, said that his agency was reviewing whether&nbsp;to investigate secure messaging apps by charging them with abetting crimes.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | A look at South Korea's&nbsp;deep fake crimes scandal</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-deep-fake-crimes-scandal-sexually-explicit-deep-fakes-on-telegram-754750/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>On being asked in Parliament about criminal activities on Telegram, Cho said that investigations into secure message providers proved complicated and time-consuming.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>South Korea most targeted by deepfake pornography</strong></h2>

<p>In 2023, a report by a US-based startup said that South Korea was the country most targeted by deepfake pornography, with its singers and actors contributing 53 per cent of individuals featured in such deepfakes.</p>

<p>According to the police, the number of deepfake sex crime cases so far in 2024 surged to nearly 300,&nbsp;compared&nbsp;to 156 for all of 2021 when data was first collated.</p>

<p>Last week, <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-sees-outcry-over-sexual-deepfakes-in-telegram-chatrooms-753688">President Yoon Suk Yeol called</a></strong> for digital sex crimes to be&nbsp;thoroughly investigated.&nbsp;"It's an exploitation of technology while relying on the protection of anonymity. It's a clear criminal act," President Yoon said.</p>

<p>He talked about&nbsp;sex crimes on social media in general and did not mention Telegram by name.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Police in South Korea have launched an investigation into whether Telegram abets online sex crimes, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep 3), citing state media.

Police in South Korea have launched an investigation into whether Telegram abets online sex crimes, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep 3), citing state media. The development was reported by the Yonhap news agency, quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation. The launch of this investigation comes after widespread outrage over digital deepfake pornography featuring South Korean women, with local media reporting such content is often found in Telegram chatrooms. Also read | Pavel Durov was 'too free' in his approach to running Telegram, says Russia Last week, authorities pledged a crackdown on exploitative deepfake crimes in the country. This coincided with a French investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov, as authorities there probe organised crime on the platform. 'Probes into secure messages providers are...' On Monday, the National Police Agency's commissioner, Cho Ji-ho, said that his agency was reviewing whether to investigate secure messaging apps by charging them with abetting crimes. Also watch | A look at South Korea's deep fake crimes scandal × On being asked in Parliament about criminal activities on Telegram, Cho said that investigations into secure message providers proved complicated and time-consuming. South Korea most targeted by deepfake pornography In 2023, a report by a US-based startup said that South Korea was the country most targeted by deepfake pornography, with its singers and actors contributing 53 per cent of individuals featured in such deepfakes. According to the police, the number of deepfake sex crime cases so far in 2024 surged to nearly 300, compared to 156 for all of 2021 when data was first collated. Last week, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for digital sex crimes to be thoroughly investigated. "It's an exploitation of technology while relying on the protection of anonymity. It's a clear criminal act," President Yoon said. He talked about sex crimes on social media in general and did not mention Telegram by name. (With inputs from agencies)

More trouble for Telegram: Police in South Korea launch probe into whether app abets online sex crimes

<p>Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday.</p>

<h2><strong>Which apps have been banned?</strong></h2>

<p>The East African nation has placed a ban on the popular short video format application TikTok, messaging app Telegram and an online betting website 1XBet.</p>

<p>Reuters reports that the government order has given internet service providers time till August 24&nbsp;to comply with the ban.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fifty-four-ugandan-soldiers-killed-by-al-shabaab-militants-in-somalia-600255">Fifty-four Ugandan soldiers killed by al-Shabaab militants in attack on military base in Somalia</a></strong></p>

<p>Somalian communications minister Jama Hassan Khalif's statement, as per Reuters, said: "The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups used to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public."</p>

<h2><strong>What prompted this ban?</strong></h2>

<p>As per the news agency, the ban comes days after the nation's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed that a Somalian military offensive is aiming to eliminate al Shabaab, an insurgent group, in the next five months.</p>

<p>Members of al Shabaab — a group with linkages to al-Qaeda — often post about their illegal activities on TikTok and Telegram.</p>

<p>While ByteDance's TikTok and betting website 1XBet are yet to issue a comment over the ban, Telegram in its statement said: "Telegram consistently removes terrorist propaganda in Somalia and worldwide."</p>

<p>It also said that it "actively moderated" harmful content on its platform.</p>

<h2><strong>App users criticise the ban</strong></h2>

<p>In Somalia and elsewhere, millions of users use TikTok to make money by posting videos, entertaining content or promoting their products. Talking to Reuters, some Somalian TikTok influencers&nbsp;and content creators said they were against the ban.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-banned-by-new-york-city-on-government-owned-devices-over-security-concerns-626232">TikTok banned by New York City on government-owned devices over security concerns</a></strong></p>

<p>One user, Abdulkadir Ali Mohamed, who calls himself Somalia's "TikTok President," said: "The ban on TikTok will make the lights of many homes go off."</p>

<p>"Where will we get our daily bread?" he asked.</p>

<p>Another user, Halimo Hassan, who sells precious metal gold on TikTok, expressed worry over losing her customers and said: "I urge the government to allow TikTok for the public, but control how it is used in the cultural context of Somalia."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday.

Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday. Which apps have been banned? The East African nation has placed a ban on the popular short video format application TikTok, messaging app Telegram and an online betting website 1XBet. Reuters reports that the government order has given internet service providers time till August 24 to comply with the ban. Also read | Fifty-four Ugandan soldiers killed by al-Shabaab militants in attack on military base in Somalia Somalian communications minister Jama Hassan Khalif's statement, as per Reuters, said: "The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups used to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public." What prompted this ban? As per the news agency, the ban comes days after the nation's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed that a Somalian military offensive is aiming to eliminate al Shabaab, an insurgent group, in the next five months. Members of al Shabaab — a group with linkages to al-Qaeda — often post about their illegal activities on TikTok and Telegram. While ByteDance's TikTok and betting website 1XBet are yet to issue a comment over the ban, Telegram in its statement said: "Telegram consistently removes terrorist propaganda in Somalia and worldwide." It also said that it "actively moderated" harmful content on its platform. App users criticise the ban In Somalia and elsewhere, millions of users use TikTok to make money by posting videos, entertaining content or promoting their products. Talking to Reuters, some Somalian TikTok influencers and content creators said they were against the ban. Also read | TikTok banned by New York City on government-owned devices over security concerns One user, Abdulkadir Ali Mohamed, who calls himself Somalia's "TikTok President," said: "The ban on TikTok will make the lights of many homes go off." "Where will we get our daily bread?" he asked. Another user, Halimo Hassan, who sells precious metal gold on TikTok, expressed worry over losing her customers and said: "I urge the government to allow TikTok for the public, but control how it is used in the cultural context of Somalia." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram to curb spread of 'constant horrific images and misinformation'

telegram-ban

Telegram Ban, News on Telegram Ban, stories on Telegram Ban, articles on Telegram Ban, Telegram Ban stories at Wion, Telegram Ban news, Telegram Ban latest news

telegram ban

Telegram to share 'bad' users' IP address, phone numbers to government authorities: CEO Durov

More trouble for Telegram: Police in South Korea launch probe into whether app abets online sex crimes

Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram to curb spread of 'constant horrific images and misinformation'