After Years of Warnings, Telegram Founder Cedes to Police Requests About Users

Pavel Durov, currently under indictment in France on multiple felony charges, pledges more cooperation with authorities

After Years of Warnings, Telegram Founder Cedes to Police Requests About Users

Pavel Durov pledges more cooperation with authorities; shift comes three years after users complained about responsiveness

Telegram founder Pavel Durov in 2016. ALBERT GEA/REUTERS

By Georgia Wells

and Sam Schechner

Updated Sept. 24, 2024 7:11 am ET

For years, police have complained that Telegram would ignore most of their requests for help in tracking down suspected criminals using the platform.

Now, following the arrest of its founder in France, the messaging and social-media app has reversed course and is regularly turning over phone numbers and other information about users suspected of illegal activity, French prosecutors said. 

read more at:

https://www.wsj.com/business/telecom/telegram-founder-ignored-warnings-about-apps-content-e7814a78