Statista’s Post

Telegram may hand over user data of rule violators to authorities The Telegram team has removed all problematic content from there in recent weeks, Pavel Durov said, without giving any details MOSCOW, September 23/ Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov said that the messenger can disclose user IP addresses and phone numbers in response to legitimate requests from the relevant authorities. He clarified that this measure concerns violators of Telegram rules and is being introduced to deter criminals from abusing the messenger's internal search function. "We have clarified that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to the relevant authorities in response to justified legal requests," Durov said, specifying that Telegram has updated its terms of service and privacy policy, bringing them to uniformity worldwide. As Durov explained, some users were abusing Telegram’s search function to sell illegal goods. The Telegram team has removed all problematic content from there in recent weeks, he said, without giving any details. "Over the past few weeks, a special team of moderators has used artificial intelligence to make the Telegram search much safer. All problematic content that we identified in search is no longer available," Durov said. He also called on users to report illegal content. #business #finance #financialservices

So this means that Bill Gates can be personally arrested for anyone who uses Microsoft Word or LinkedIn messaging in ways that upset any government, right? < scathing and dripping sarcasm to highlight government totalitarian abuses of censorship > ============================== "In his first public statements since his arrest by France on Aug. 24 at Paris' Le Bourget airport, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov blasted French authorities for detaining and charging him, but also admitted that Telegram is not perfect that he'll work to clean up instances of criminals abusing the platform. He argued in a post to Telegram that it wildly departs from norms for a government to go after a CEO personally, as opposed to the "established practice" of bringing legal against the company. "Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach," the billionaire tech entrepreneur wrote. "Building technology is hard enough as it is," he continued. >>> "No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools." "We’ve been committed to engaging with regulators to find the right balance [between privacy and security]," Durov continued. "Yes, we stand by our principles: our experience is shaped by our mission to protect our users in authoritarian regimes. But we’ve always been open to dialogue." ... Durov has still maintained his stance that the formal charges against him are meritless. Others have argued that the case would be akin to prosecuting Google executives for any and all criminal or abusive communications or postings. In many cases tech companies are left seeking to moderate potentially criminal and offensive content - but which is like seeking a needle in a haystack. And all of this is raising questions of encrypted communications and the lengths European governments in particular might go to try stamp out its use among the citizenry ... There are reports saying that EU regulators will seek to enforce the strictest content moderation possible on Telegram. This has raised the alarm over vital questions of free speech from other major social media platform owners, especially Elon Musk. ..." https://lnkd.in/gUY7eFPf

Should the government ban Telegram in India or not? The question of whether the Indian government should ban Telegram is a multifaceted issue that warrants careful examination of various factors, including security risks, implications for free speech, availability of alternatives, economic impact, and enforcement challenges. One of the primary concerns driving the discussion around a potential ban is the security risks associated with Telegram. The platform is known for its robust encryption and privacy features, which can complicate law enforcement efforts to monitor communications. This raises fears that Telegram could be exploited by criminal organizations, terrorist groups, and other malicious actors to coordinate illicit activities while evading detection. Conversely, proponents of Telegram argue that a ban would infringe upon citizens' rights to free speech and privacy. The app serves as a vital communication tool for activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens, facilitating the exchange of information and ideas. Imposing a ban could severely limit these individuals' ability to express themselves freely and may establish a troubling precedent for further restrictions on online discourse. Moreover, should the government proceed with a ban, users may simply migrate to alternative messaging platforms that offer similar functionalities and encryption. This scenario could result in a continuous cycle of bans, as the government attempts to address security concerns without effectively mitigating the underlying issues. The economic implications of banning Telegram also deserve consideration. Many businesses and individuals rely on the platform for communication and collaboration. Disrupting access to Telegram could lead to decreased productivity and financial losses, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that depend on efficient communication channels. Finally, enforcing a ban on Telegram presents significant challenges. Users may circumvent restrictions through the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) or other means, rendering the ban largely ineffective. This situation could create a paradox where the ban disrupts the lives of law-abiding citizens while failing to address the intended security concerns. In summary, the decision to ban Telegram in India involves weighing the legitimate security interests of the government against the potential infringement on individual rights, economic consequences, and practical enforcement challenges. A nuanced approach that considers the perspectives of various stakeholders is essential in determining the most appropriate course of action. For further insights into this ongoing debate, refer to the article on https://lnkd.in/dfWrgz5z

The Arrest of Telegram’s Founder: A Growing Concern Over Government Control of Social Platforms Recent news of Telegram Messenger’s founder Pavel Durov being arrested in France has sent shockwaves across the tech world. This incident underscores a growing trend: governments worldwide are increasingly concerned about the influence and power of social media platforms. Hey Musk! Why does this matter? 1) Global Impact: Telegram is not just another app, it's a vital communication tool for millions of people, particularly in countries where freedom of speech is restricted. Its strong encryption and minimal content moderation have made it a go-to platform for secure communication in politically sensitive environments. 2) Government Scrutiny: As social media platforms like Telegram grow in influence, governments are more keenly observing the flow of information. The concern is no longer just about privacy or data, it’s about control over the narrative and the potential misuse of these platforms for activities ranging from misinformation campaigns to illegal trade. 3) The Power of Encryption: Telegram’s end-to-end encryption makes it a double-edged sword. On one hand, it protects users’ privacy, on the other, it poses challenges for governments who are increasingly uneasy about their inability to monitor communications on the platform. 4) Precedents and Future Implications: The situation bears striking resemblance to the Grindr case, where a Chinese company was forced to sell the app to a U.S. firm amid fears that sensitive user data could be used for blackmailing U.S. politicians. These incidents raise a crucial question: Are we heading toward an era where social platforms could become pawns in global political strategies? #SocialMedia #Telegram #GovernmentControl #Privacy #Encryption 

Expert predicts ‘passport-based access’ to Internet following words of Telegram founder "The situation is quite logical. Today we are observing a total de-anonymization of the Internet in all its manifestations," Anton Sergeyev noted MOSCOW, September 24/ Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov's decision to disclose users’ IP addresses and phone numbers indicates that mandatory identification for any Internet service is becoming a reality, an expert told TASS. Earlier, Pavel Durov said that Telegram will be able to disclose users’ IP addresses and mobile phone numbers at the request of relevant authorities. He specified that this measure concerns violators of Telegram rules and is introduced to deter criminals from abusing the messenger's internal search. "The situation is quite logical. Today we are observing a total de-anonymization of the Internet in all its manifestations. Overall, the era of strict passport-based access to the Internet is getting closer and closer," Anton Sergeyev, the director of the Center for Software Development and Digital Services at the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (MIEM HSE), said. As the expert emphasizes, under the influence of technological progress, which itself determines social relationships, including in the digital space, one can observe the so-called swinging. "Once we had an era when everything was completely anonymized - communication was opaque, everyone behaved as they wanted and never got punished. All the nineties and zero years used to be like that. And now everything is swinging in the opposite direction," Sergeyev said. The process of de-anonymization is facilitated by the trend towards reduction in the number of communication platforms and their consolidation - soon we will see several dozen, then only a few of them. "That is, roughly speaking, we all tend to use the same messengers. Unless you use them, you fall out of the communication process," he explained. #business #finance #financialservices

Exploiting👾 a vulnerability in #telegram system that allows for matching user IDs with phone numbers 🤯 #russian security forces and officials employ a system known as #Insider alongside Telegram bots, to de-anonymize users by exploiting a vulnerability in Telegram's system that allows for matching user IDs with phone numbers, thereby revealing their identities. This system, which utilizes leaked databases from sources like Yandex and Wildberries, is part of a broader initiative called "Demon of Laplace," aimed at monitoring social networks and identifying activists. The purchase of "Insider" by authorities, under contracts signed by several Russian regional departments, is funded by budget money. The developer behind "Insider," @EvgenyVenediktov, is known for his controversial past, and the legality of employing such systems for de-anonymization purposes raises significant questions under Russian law. STATISTICS: - More than 76 million mobile numbers are loaded into the "Insider" system from leaked databases. - One license for "Laplace's Demon" costs on average 500 thousand rubles. ($5500 USD) - In 2019, the database used had 10 million numbers, which has now grown to more than 76 million. @kalilinux

The social #media platform formerly known as Twitter, now called 'X', faced a 24-hour restriction within Pakistan's borders, as cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks reported. Net Blocks reports that X/Twitter has been restricted in Pakistan for 24 hours, which is the longest episode in a series of #internet outages across the #country . Users throughout Pakistan are having trouble accessing the #platform , with intermittent issues when loading X. Earlier, the #website monitoring service called Down Detector reported at least 16 potential issues with website X all over the country at around 4:45 PM. This number eventually increased to 83 at some point. Users who attempted to load the microblogging site were unable to access it and were instead greeted with the message "This site can't be reached". Pakistan has been facing frequent internet and social media site outages recently, especially during the ongoing situation in the wake of the general #elections of 2024. The February 8th elections in Pakistan were marred by allegations of election fraud, triggered by delays in publishing the initial results and the unexpected suspension of #mobile services. Many internet users have been expressing their frustration regarding the connection issues they've been experiencing with X for hours, especially on Saturday night. Moreover, there have been disruptions observed on various platforms such as Instagram, #facebook , TikTok, YouTube, Google services, and internet service provider PTCL.Official in recent months. Individually, X faced global outages in May 2023, following a significant number of complaints submitted by users individually. As the situation unfolds, the restriction on X continues to raise questions about internet freedom, access, and the impact on communication and information dissemination in Pakistan. Authorities and users alike are closely monitoring developments, and the debate over balancing security concerns with citizens’ rights remains ongoing. #digitalpakistan #techupdates

Telegram Disables 'Misused' Features As CEO Faces Criminal Charges: Following the arrest of its CEO Pavel Durov last month, the encrypted messaging service said it has disabled some "outdated" and "misused" features used by anonymous users. The Verge reports: The first changes to the app following his arrest in France last month affect its built-in blog posts and a "People Nearby" location-based feature. [...] Durov's first post-arrest statement Thursday said, "Telegram's abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That's why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard." He also said that during the four-day interview after his arrest, "I was told I may be personally responsible for other people's illegal use of Telegram, because the French authorities didn't receive responses from Telegram." Telegram has since reworked some of its language surrounding private chats and moderation and followed up with these new updates. It's also adding Star giveaways and enabling a reading mode for its in-app browser. "While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities creates a bad image for the entire platform," Durov's message says. "That's why this year we are committed to turn moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism into one of praise." Durov says the service has stopped new media uploads to its standalone blogging tool, Telegraph, because it was "misused by anonymous actors." Telegram has also removed its People Nearby feature, which lets you find and message other users in your area. Durov says the feature has "had issues with bots and scammers" and was only used by less than 0.1 percent of users. Telegram will replace this feature with "Businesses Nearby" instead, allowing "legitimate, verified businesses" to display products and accept payments. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Telegram Disables 'Misused' Features As CEO Faces Criminal Charges: Following the arrest of its CEO Pavel Durov last month, the encrypted messaging service said it has disabled some "outdated" and "misused" features used by anonymous users. The Verge reports: The first changes to the app following his arrest in France last month affect its built-in blog posts and a "People Nearby" location-based feature. [...] Durov's first post-arrest statement Thursday said, "Telegram's abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That's why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard." He also said that during the four-day interview after his arrest, "I was told I may be personally responsible for other people's illegal use of Telegram, because the French authorities didn't receive responses from Telegram." Telegram has since reworked some of its language surrounding private chats and moderation and followed up with these new updates. It's also adding Star giveaways and enabling a reading mode for its in-app browser. "While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities creates a bad image for the entire platform," Durov's message says. "That's why this year we are committed to turn moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism into one of praise." Durov says the service has stopped new media uploads to its standalone blogging tool, Telegraph, because it was "misused by anonymous actors." Telegram has also removed its People Nearby feature, which lets you find and message other users in your area. Durov says the feature has "had issues with bots and scammers" and was only used by less than 0.1 percent of users. Telegram will replace this feature with "Businesses Nearby" instead, allowing "legitimate, verified businesses" to display products and accept payments. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Telegram Disables 'Misused' Features As CEO Faces Criminal Charges: Following the arrest of its CEO Pavel Durov last month, the encrypted messaging service said it has disabled some "outdated" and "misused" features used by anonymous users. The Verge reports: The first changes to the app following his arrest in France last month affect its built-in blog posts and a "People Nearby" location-based feature. [...] Durov's first post-arrest statement Thursday said, "Telegram's abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That's why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard." He also said that during the four-day interview after his arrest, "I was told I may be personally responsible for other people's illegal use of Telegram, because the French authorities didn't receive responses from Telegram." Telegram has since reworked some of its language surrounding private chats and moderation and followed up with these new updates. It's also adding Star giveaways and enabling a reading mode for its in-app browser. "While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities creates a bad image for the entire platform," Durov's message says. "That's why this year we are committed to turn moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism into one of praise." Durov says the service has stopped new media uploads to its standalone blogging tool, Telegraph, because it was "misused by anonymous actors." Telegram has also removed its People Nearby feature, which lets you find and message other users in your area. Durov says the feature has "had issues with bots and scammers" and was only used by less than 0.1 percent of users. Telegram will replace this feature with "Businesses Nearby" instead, allowing "legitimate, verified businesses" to display products and accept payments. Read more of this story at Slashdot.