Telegram To Allow Users Report Illegal Content

Telegram, the popular messaging app, will now start moderating private chats. This decision follows the arrest of CEO Pavel Durov nearly two weeks ago. On August 25, Durov was detained over allegations of allowing criminal activities on the platform. Although Durov denies these accusations, the company has subtly acknowledged issues on its platform by altering its FAQ page.

Changes in Privacy Policies

Recently, Telegram quietly removed references to end-to-end encryption from its FAQ page. Previously, the company's response page stated that all chats and group chats were private among participants and not subject to processing requests.

This statement has since been replaced with instructions on how to report illegal content using the 'Report' button available in the app. The changes aim to make it easier for users to report inappropriate content and for moderators to take action swiftly.

Last month, French authorities issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged offences including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime, and promotion of terrorism. Following his arrest, Durov posted his first comment on his Telegram channel.

Durov described his arrest as "misguided" and "surprising," arguing that legal actions should target the service rather than its CEO. He stated, "Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach."

The changes aim to make it easier for users to report inappropriate content and for moderators to take action swiftly. As these updates roll out, it remains to be seen how effectively they will address the concerns raised by law enforcement agencies and improve user safety on Telegram.