Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has announced that the messaging platform will begin sharing user data, including IP addresses and phone numbers, with law enforcement in response to requests. The change follows Durov's recent arrest in France, where he faces charges related to the alleged facilitation of criminal activities on the platform, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Durov’s announcement marks a departure from Telegram's previous stance on user privacy, which was known for its strong resistance to government requests for data. As of Monday, Telegram updated its terms of service, stating that data will now be shared with authorities if users are suspected of criminal activities that violate the platform’s rules.

This policy change follows criticism from various governments about Telegram's "lax moderation." Durov explained that the platform is using artificial intelligence and a team of moderators to control its search function and remove "problematic content." He emphasized that these measures aim to deter criminals from abusing the app.

"These measures should discourage criminals," Durov wrote. "We won’t let bad actors jeopardize the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users."

The update has raised concerns about user privacy, as Telegram does not offer end-to-end encryption by default for messages. Privacy advocates fear that this move could pave the way for more data sharing with governments, including authoritarian regimes like Russia. Durov, who was released on bail after his arrest, denied the charges and said the platform remains committed to balancing privacy and security.

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