Telegram Agrees To Share User Data For Criminal Investigations [Video]

The messaging app Telegram has agreed to share data for criminal investigations, in what marks a significant policy reversal for CEO, Pavel Durov.

In a statement made on the Telegram app, Durov said that: “We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.”

Durov, the Russian-born co-founder of Telegram, who was detained by French authorities in August, has been charged with enabling criminal activity on the platform.

The charges Durov faces stem from claims that Telegram has been used to distribute child abuse imagery, facilitate drug trafficking, commit fraud and aid organized crime. Durov was also charged with failing to comply with law enforcement by withholding information or documents.