Telegram strengthens search safety measures to combat illegal activity
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced a series of updates aimed at improving the security of the app’s search function, following concerns over illegal activity on the platform. In a statement, Durov highlighted how Telegram’s search feature has previously been exploited by individuals using the platform to distribute illegal goods, Kazinform correspondent reports.
“Search on Telegram is more powerful than in other messaging apps because it allows users to find public channels and bots. Unfortunately, this feature has been abused by people who violated our Terms of Service to sell illegal goods” Durov explained.
Durov emphasized that Telegram has taken swift action to address these issues. "Over the last few weeks, a dedicated team of moderators, leveraging AI, has made Telegram Search much safer. All the problematic content we identified in Search is no longer accessible. If you still manage to find something unsafe or illegal in Telegram Search, please report it to us via @SearchReport."
In addition to cleaning up the platform, Telegram has updated its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to ensure a consistent global approach to handling violators. “To further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world. 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 added.
The measures are part of a broader effort to protect Telegram’s reputation and ensure it remains a safe platform for its nearly one billion users. “These measures should discourage criminals. Telegram Search is meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods. We won't let bad actors jeopardize the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users,” Durov concluded.
These changes come amid growing global scrutiny of tech platforms, particularly in the wake of France’s newly introduced law targeting tech executives whose platforms are found to facilitate illegal activities.
Earlier this month Pavel Durov made his public statement after his detention at Le Bourget airport in Paris. Durov described his four-day interrogation by French authorities as "surprising," citing that he was held accountable for illegal activities on Telegram due to the French government not receiving responses from the platform. He emphasized that Telegram has an official representative in the EU and that French authorities had multiple ways to contact him for assistance, particularly regarding terrorism-related threats.
