84

Telegram, the controversial messaging platform, has joined an international child protection scheme after long-standing opposition. This decision marks a significant shift following the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov, in Paris four months ago.

For years, Telegram ignored calls to adopt measures to combat child sexual abuse material (CSAM). However, it has now partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), an organization that helps major online services detect, remove, and prevent the spread of CSAM.

The IWF has called Telegram’s decision “transformational” but cautioned that it is only the beginning of a longer journey. Derek Ray-Hill, the IWF’s interim CEO, stated, “By joining the IWF, Telegram can begin deploying our tools to prevent this material from being shared.”

Telegram’s Troubled History and Promised Reforms

Telegram, with around 950 million users globally, has often prioritized user privacy over regulatory norms followed by other platforms. However, investigative reports revealed that criminals were using the app for illicit activities, including drug sales, cybercrime, and sharing CSAM.

These revelations earned Telegram the moniker “the dark web in your pocket.”

In August, founder Pavel Durov was detained in France, accused of failing to cooperate with authorities on drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud investigations. French judges barred him from leaving the country pending further inquiries. Telegram has called the arrest unfair, arguing that Durov should not be held accountable for user activity.

Since then, Telegram has announced several changes to its policies:

• Sharing IP addresses and phone numbers of rule violators with law enforcement in response to valid requests.
• Disabling problematic features like “People Nearby,” which had been exploited by bots and scammers.
• Publishing regular transparency reports on removed content, an industry-standard practice previously avoided.

Durov has pledged to transform Telegram’s moderation practices, aiming to shift from criticism to commendation.

Strengthening Content Moderation

Telegram claims it has already removed hundreds of thousands of abusive materials monthly using its systems. Partnering with the IWF will bolster its efforts with advanced tools and an evolving database of known abuse content.

Although marketed as a fully encrypted service, most Telegram communications rely on standard encryption, raising concerns about its security against hacking and interception.

Telegram remains particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, former Soviet states, and Iran. Pavel Durov, originally from Russia, now resides in Dubai and holds citizenship in multiple countries, including France and the UAE.

This partnership with the IWF marks a critical step in Telegram’s ongoing effort to improve its moderation and align with global standards.