Telegram's CEO has stated that the platform will share users' IP addresses and phone numbers with law enforcement authorities.

Messaging app Telegram will provide users' IP addresses and phone numbers to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests, according to CEO Pavel Durov.

Durov announced that the platform has updated its terms of service to prevent criminals from exploiting it. This decision follows his recent arrest in France on charges of alleged involvement in the spread of child sexual abuse materials.

This marks a significant shift in Telegram's stance on government data requests and its previously lax moderation reputation. The UAE-based platform has been known for its unresponsiveness to takedown requests from governments worldwide and often ignored inquiries about suspected criminals.

The app, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) along with a team of moderators, has begun hiding problematic content from its search results as part of efforts to prevent misuse, Durov stated.

In August, French prosecutors charged Russian-born Durov in connection with alleged crimes related to the app. The case paints him as the leader of a company that has resisted providing law enforcement with data necessary for legal wiretaps on suspected criminals.

Durov, who has been ordered to stay in France during the investigation, denies the allegations. Under his leadership, Telegram has drawn criticism from various governments, including the European Union and authoritarian regimes in Russia and Iran. The platform has been used by protesters organizing against authorities, while also becoming a hub for conspiracy theorists and extremists. For example, white supremacists in the U.S. have used Telegram for years to coordinate attacks on power infrastructure.

In 2018, the Kremlin attempted to block Telegram but reversed its decision two years later after failing to shut down the service. When the ban was lifted, the Russian regulator indicated that Durov had promised to help combat extremism and terrorism.

Durov's arrest has prompted several policy changes at Telegram. Earlier this month, the platform disabled new media uploads, a move Durov claimed was aimed at curbing bots and scammers.