Telegram’s Privacy Policy Update: No Major Changes in User Data Handling

• Telegram’s privacy update unified rules, maintaining its commitment to user privacy while complying with legal requests.
• Since 2018, Telegram has disclosed criminal data through verified legal requests, aligning with laws in most countries.
• Telegram’s mass communication features attract both positive users and criminals, unlike Signal, which limits such engagement.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov recently reassured users that the platform’s latest privacy policy update doesn’t signal any changes in how their data is handled. Durov explained that the update simply brings consistency across different regions, keeping the same core principles that have been in place since 2018. He stressed that Telegram remains committed to protecting user privacy while still complying with legal requests when necessary.

Data Requests: A Transparent Approach

Since 2018, Telegram has disclosed the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals when properly formed legal requests are submitted. This process remains unchanged and aligns with local laws in most countries. Additionally, Telegram’s transparency bot demonstrates the number of legal data requests the platform receives.

For example, in Brazil, Telegram fulfilled 75 legal requests in Q1 2024, 63 in Q2, and 65 in Q3. Meanwhile, in India, Telegram’s largest market, the company complied with 2,461 legal requests in Q1, 2,151 in Q2, and 2,380 in Q3. Moreover, in the European Union, an uptick in legal requests was observed in Q3 2024 due to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Authorities began using the appropriate communication line mandated by the DSA, streamlining the process.

Balancing Privacy and Compliance

Durov stated that Telegram remains committed to protecting activists and ordinary users from oppressive governments and corporations. However, he also reiterated the platform’s stance against allowing criminals to exploit it. By refining their policy, Telegram aims to maintain clarity without compromising core values.

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Unlike Telegram, Signal — a similar encrypted messaging app — takes a more restrictive approach to user engagement. Signal, which encrypts all messages, doesn’t allow mass communication like Telegram does. This feature makes Telegram more susceptible to abuse by groups involved in illegal activities, including child exploitation and terrorism.