In a major policy reversal, the popular messaging app Telegram announced that it will provide users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities in response to valid legal requests in an effort to combat criminal activity on the platform.

“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,” Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said in a post.

Telegram stated that these disclosures will be included in its periodic transparency reports.

The company also noted that it may collect metadata such as IP addresses, devices and Telegram applications used, and the history of username changes to address spam, abuse, and other violations.

It is worth noting that the previous version of Telegram’s policy limited information sharing to cases involving terrorism suspects.

The earlier policy stated: “If Telegram receives a court order that confirms you’re a terror suspect, we may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities.”

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RITC Cybersecurity's Take

Honestly, we are a little shocked by this abrupt policy change, but as the article notes, it is most likely driven by Pavel Durov’s arrest in France.

Whether this change proves beneficial or problematic, and what precedent it sets for other technology companies such as X that have recently been targeted by nation-state actors, remains to be seen.