Telegram, the messaging platform with nearly 950 million users worldwide, had long disregarded calls to take part in child protection efforts. However, under increasing pressure after the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov, in Paris for failing to effectively moderate harmful content, the app's leadership has now committed to working with IWF—an organization renowned for its expertise in identifying and eliminating CSAM on the internet.
Durov's detention stemmed from allegations related to drug trafficking and child exploitation, holding him accountable for the unlawful actions conducted on the platform. French authorities have placed travel restrictions on him while investigations intensify.
In light of this evolving landscape, Telegram notified its users and law enforcement about a series of proposed changes, including sharing IP addresses related to rule violations in response to legal requests, disabling certain features exploited by malicious users, and enhancing transparency in content removal processes.
Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO of the IWF, applauded the development as a significant milestone, satisfying that the incorporation of IWF's advanced detection tools will aid Telegram in eliminating abusive content from its service. The organization hopes this agreement signifies the start of a broader commitment to user safety, although they acknowledged that substantial work lies ahead.
Despite its previous reputation as a safe haven for privacy advocates, Telegram has faced growing scrutiny over its capability to curtail illicit activities. Experts have characterized it as “the dark web in your pocket,” highlighting its misuse for advertising drugs and facilitating cybercrime.
While Telegram insists that its prior measures had already led to the removal of hundreds of thousands of malicious materials monthly through independent systems, joining the IWF marks a new chapter in its approach to moderation—a critical feature for its user base.
Durov, who possesses multiple nationalities including Russian and Emirati, has vowed to transition user moderation on the platform from an area of criticism to one of positive acknowledgment, hoping to facilitate a safer online environment for all users while maintaining the app's dynamic user experience.
Durov's detention stemmed from allegations related to drug trafficking and child exploitation, holding him accountable for the unlawful actions conducted on the platform. French authorities have placed travel restrictions on him while investigations intensify.
In light of this evolving landscape, Telegram notified its users and law enforcement about a series of proposed changes, including sharing IP addresses related to rule violations in response to legal requests, disabling certain features exploited by malicious users, and enhancing transparency in content removal processes.
Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO of the IWF, applauded the development as a significant milestone, satisfying that the incorporation of IWF's advanced detection tools will aid Telegram in eliminating abusive content from its service. The organization hopes this agreement signifies the start of a broader commitment to user safety, although they acknowledged that substantial work lies ahead.
Despite its previous reputation as a safe haven for privacy advocates, Telegram has faced growing scrutiny over its capability to curtail illicit activities. Experts have characterized it as “the dark web in your pocket,” highlighting its misuse for advertising drugs and facilitating cybercrime.
While Telegram insists that its prior measures had already led to the removal of hundreds of thousands of malicious materials monthly through independent systems, joining the IWF marks a new chapter in its approach to moderation—a critical feature for its user base.
Durov, who possesses multiple nationalities including Russian and Emirati, has vowed to transition user moderation on the platform from an area of criticism to one of positive acknowledgment, hoping to facilitate a safer online environment for all users while maintaining the app's dynamic user experience.
