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.

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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:

"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.

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