Telegram complied with 900 requests from U.S. law enforcement agencies, providing IP addresses and phone numbers for 2,253 users, reports 404 Media. The volume of disclosed data has risen sharply compared to previous years, with the majority of requests fulfilled following a change in Telegram’s privacy policy in September 2024.
Previously, Telegram limited user data disclosure exclusively to cases involving terrorism. As of September 30, 2024, the platform had granted only 14 requests concerning 108 users. However, after revising its policy, Telegram now shares data related to other types of crimes, including cybercrime, illicit trade, and fraud.
Source: BleepingComputer
India ranks highest in terms of user data requests fulfilled, with 14,641 inquiries resulting in disclosures about 23,535 users. This data was compiled by Étienne Meignier, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Germany follows with 945 requests affecting 2,237 users, trailed by the U.S. (900 and 2,253), France (893 and 2,072), Brazil (302 and 1,008), South Korea (270 and 658), Belgium (223 and 594), Spain (213 and 518), Poland (158 and 546), Italy (158 and 419), the United Kingdom (142 and 293), and Kazakhstan (74 and 496). Among CIS countries, Moldova was listed, where Telegram complied with one request, disclosing data about a single user.
For Russia, Telegram reports data only for the period from January 1 to September 30, 2024. According to the company’s transparency report, no requests were fulfilled during this timeframe.
As per Telegram’s policies, information is disclosed only upon receipt of a valid court order proving the user’s involvement in criminal activities that violate the platform’s terms of service. The updated policy states:
“If Telegram receives a valid court order from the relevant judicial authorities confirming your suspected involvement in criminal activity that violates Telegram’s Terms of Service, we will conduct a legal review of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the appropriate authorities.”
The policy change followed government pressure, culminating in the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France at the end of August 2024. He was charged with complicity in cybercrime, organized fraud, dissemination of illicit materials, and refusal to cooperate with law enforcement investigations.
In response to these changes, several cybercriminal groups announced their departure from the platform. However, according to analytics firm KELA, published in December, there have been no significant changes in the activity of criminal communities on Telegram thus far.
The surge in disclosed data during Q4 2024 reflects a strategic shift by Telegram. However, a fuller picture is expected to emerge in April 2025, when the next transparency report is released.
