Telegram tightens reins: New measures to combat illegal content

The Telegram messenger is quietly changing its terms of service, as indicated by an update to the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section. Apparently, Telegram will alter its approach to illegal content, which is not scarce on Telegram.

Telegram has grown so much that it has secured its spot among the most popular internet messengers. Although it does not enjoy as much interest in the UK - compared to other countries - globally, it boasts an impressive base of 950 million users.

Telegram users are certainly wondering what lies ahead for the messenger. Let's recall that the creator of Telegram was detained on 24 August at Paris Le Bourget Airport. Pavel Durov is accused of a lack of cooperation with law enforcement, as Telegram has become a tool used by criminals.

The founder himself openly admits that Telegram must change. This is indicated by an official statement published on 5 September.

"The sudden increase in the number of Telegram users to 950 million has caused problems that have made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. Therefore, I have set myself the goal of significantly improving the situation in this regard. We have already started this process internally, and soon I will share more detailed information about our progress with you," writes Pavel Durov.

The founder mentions that the process of changes has begun, and apparently, the effects can already be seen. As noted by The Verge, the FAQ section on Telegram's official website (referring to the English version) has been updated. It concerns the question about illegal content and how to remove it. As of 5 September, the response read: "All Telegram chats and group chats are private for their participants. We do not process any requests related to them."

It has now been removed and replaced with the information that "All Telegram apps have 'Report' buttons that allow marking illegal content for our moderators – it only takes a few taps," along with detailed instructions on how to proceed. It is possible that in the coming days or weeks, Telegram will change even further.