Telegram at the Center of Disinformation: EU's Struggle with the Messenger
Bloomberg has published an article regarding Telegram's role in spreading disinformation and the European Union's attempts to regulate the messenger.
According to the article, Telegram has become one of the main channels for promoting fake news aimed at undermining support for Ukraine. Additionally, the Russian secret service is using the platform to recruit individuals for sabotage in European cities.
Here are some key points from the article:
- Telegram as a Key Tool: Telegram is a crucial weapon for pro-Kremlin accounts in spreading disinformation against Ukraine.
- Recruitment by the Russian Secret Service: The Russian secret service is using Telegram to recruit petty criminals for acts of sabotage in European capitals.
- EU's Powerlessness: EU authorities are largely powerless to curb Telegram due to its relatively small user base in Europe (fewer than 45 million users).
- Doubt on User Base: EU officials doubt Telegram's claim of having 41 million active users in Europe.
- Estonian Prime Minister's Call: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has called on the European Commission to independently assess the actual amount of users on Telegram in the EU.
- Possible Classification as a Major Platform: If Telegram is recognized as a "very large online platform" under the new EU Digital Services Act, it will be required to combat disinformation.
At the same time, Telegram's upcoming update will include a new "Fact Check" feature to fight fake news.
#laws
Bloomberg has published an article regarding Telegram's role in spreading disinformation and the European Union's attempts to regulate the messenger.
According to the article, Telegram has become one of the main channels for promoting fake news aimed at undermining support for Ukraine. Additionally, the Russian secret service is using the platform to recruit individuals for sabotage in European cities.
Here are some key points from the article:
- Telegram as a Key Tool: Telegram is a crucial weapon for pro-Kremlin accounts in spreading disinformation against Ukraine.
- Recruitment by the Russian Secret Service: The Russian secret service is using Telegram to recruit petty criminals for acts of sabotage in European capitals.
- EU's Powerlessness: EU authorities are largely powerless to curb Telegram due to its relatively small user base in Europe (fewer than 45 million users).
- Doubt on User Base: EU officials doubt Telegram's claim of having 41 million active users in Europe.
- Estonian Prime Minister's Call: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has called on the European Commission to independently assess the actual amount of users on Telegram in the EU.
- Possible Classification as a Major Platform: If Telegram is recognized as a "very large online platform" under the new EU Digital Services Act, it will be required to combat disinformation.
At the same time, Telegram's upcoming update will include a new "Fact Check" feature to fight fake news.
#laws
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Telegram has expanded the conditions under which it will disclose users' IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities
Pavel Durov spoke about how Telegram is ramping up its fight against illegal content. In his statement, the founder of the messaging app said:
The @tginfo editorial team reviewed the updates to Telegram’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy across several countries. The new rules are the same in different regions and significantly change Telegram’s approach to data disclosure:
• Not just for terrorism anymore: Previously, Telegram only agreed to disclose a user’s phone number and IP address if they were a confirmed suspect in a terrorism case. Now, Telegram will disclose data upon an “valid order from the relevant judicial authorities” regarding users who are suspects in criminal cases involving illegal activities, while also violating Telegram’s Terms of Service.
• What’s strictly prohibited: In addition to illegal pornographic content, spam, scamming users, and promoting violence, Telegram now also bans “engaging in activities that are illegal in most countries.” This includes child abuse, drugs, weapons, and counterfeit documents.
• Vague wording: The new list of “illegal goods and services” is not exhaustive. This means Telegram is not limiting itself to this list and can disclose data for other violations as well.
• Disclosure in the past: Telegram removed the statement that it had never disclosed users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities.
• Reports will be published more frequently: Information about the disclosure of user data will now be published quarterly, instead of twice a year.
#laws
Pavel Durov spoke about how Telegram is ramping up its fight against illegal content. In his statement, the founder of the messaging app said:
"We’ve updated our Privacy Policy to make it consistent globally. We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those violating our rules may be disclosed to the appropriate authorities in response to valid legal requests.”
The @tginfo editorial team reviewed the updates to Telegram’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy across several countries. The new rules are the same in different regions and significantly change Telegram’s approach to data disclosure:
• Not just for terrorism anymore: Previously, Telegram only agreed to disclose a user’s phone number and IP address if they were a confirmed suspect in a terrorism case. Now, Telegram will disclose data upon an “valid order from the relevant judicial authorities” regarding users who are suspects in criminal cases involving illegal activities, while also violating Telegram’s Terms of Service.
• What’s strictly prohibited: In addition to illegal pornographic content, spam, scamming users, and promoting violence, Telegram now also bans “engaging in activities that are illegal in most countries.” This includes child abuse, drugs, weapons, and counterfeit documents.
• Vague wording: The new list of “illegal goods and services” is not exhaustive. This means Telegram is not limiting itself to this list and can disclose data for other violations as well.
• Disclosure in the past: Telegram removed the statement that it had never disclosed users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities.
• Reports will be published more frequently: Information about the disclosure of user data will now be published quarterly, instead of twice a year.
#laws
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British Regulator Ofcom Launches Investigation into Telegram
The British communications regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Telegram regarding its compliance with obligations to combat illegal content under the local Online Safety Act 2023.
According to Reuters, the investigation was prompted by data from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection regarding the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the platform, as well as the regulator's own assessment.
If violations are found, platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global turnover.
Telegram's Position
• The messenger "categorically" denies Ofcom's accusations.
• The company claims that since 2018, the public distribution of CSAM on the platform has been "virtually eliminated" thanks to the work of automatic detection algorithms.
• Telegram stated they are surprised by the investigation and concerned that it might be "part of a broader attack on online platforms that defend freedom of speech and the right to privacy".
• A day earlier, Pavel Durov noted that "protecting children" has become a standard PR move for lawmakers to gain control over media narratives.
Context
This is not Telegram's first clash with regulators over CSAM. In February 2025, the Australian regulator eSafety fined the messenger $600,000 for delaying a response to a similar request. In response, the company abandoned its usual passive stance, moved to active legal defense, and sued Australia, challenging the legality of the fine.
At the end of 2024, Telegram officially agreed to cooperate with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) — one of the key organizations maintaining CSAM signature databases. Our team has also extensively analyzed Telegram's internal moderation processes based on reports for eSafety: the disclosed documents reveal that photos and videos in all private groups and channels on the platform are automatically scanned against known illegal materials.
Recently, the UK has been consistently ramping up pressure on social media. Earlier this year, to comply with local legislation, Telegram already had to launch an experimental facial age verification system for British users.
It is worth noting that in recent years, under the banner of child protection, European countries have been increasingly pushing requirements that could violate privacy of communications and live. For example, due to requirements from this same Ofcom, Apple was forced to disable E2E encryption for iCloud backups, and the European Union is developing the EU Chat Control law, which is similar to the British OSA in its invasiveness.
#UK #moderation #laws
The British communications regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Telegram regarding its compliance with obligations to combat illegal content under the local Online Safety Act 2023.
According to Reuters, the investigation was prompted by data from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection regarding the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the platform, as well as the regulator's own assessment.
If violations are found, platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global turnover.
Telegram's Position
• The messenger "categorically" denies Ofcom's accusations.
• The company claims that since 2018, the public distribution of CSAM on the platform has been "virtually eliminated" thanks to the work of automatic detection algorithms.
• Telegram stated they are surprised by the investigation and concerned that it might be "part of a broader attack on online platforms that defend freedom of speech and the right to privacy".
• A day earlier, Pavel Durov noted that "protecting children" has become a standard PR move for lawmakers to gain control over media narratives.
Context
This is not Telegram's first clash with regulators over CSAM. In February 2025, the Australian regulator eSafety fined the messenger $600,000 for delaying a response to a similar request. In response, the company abandoned its usual passive stance, moved to active legal defense, and sued Australia, challenging the legality of the fine.
At the end of 2024, Telegram officially agreed to cooperate with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) — one of the key organizations maintaining CSAM signature databases. Our team has also extensively analyzed Telegram's internal moderation processes based on reports for eSafety: the disclosed documents reveal that photos and videos in all private groups and channels on the platform are automatically scanned against known illegal materials.
Recently, the UK has been consistently ramping up pressure on social media. Earlier this year, to comply with local legislation, Telegram already had to launch an experimental facial age verification system for British users.
It is worth noting that in recent years, under the banner of child protection, European countries have been increasingly pushing requirements that could violate privacy of communications and live. For example, due to requirements from this same Ofcom, Apple was forced to disable E2E encryption for iCloud backups, and the European Union is developing the EU Chat Control law, which is similar to the British OSA in its invasiveness.
#UK #moderation #laws
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