Telegram updates its private chat moderation policy following CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest: Here’s what you need to know

Telegramthe social media giant co-founded by Pavel DurovThe Russian-born billionaire indicted in France has updated his policy on moderating private chats.

What happenedTelegram has retracted a statement on its frequently asked questions, or FAQ, page that previously assured users of immunity from moderation requests in private chats, The Verge reported.

This development follows Telegram CEO Durov’s first public statement since his arrest, in which he pledged to improve content moderation on the platform.

Durov acknowledged the challenges posed by the rapid growth of Telegram users to 950 million, which he says has made it easier for criminals to misuse the platform. He said efforts are already underway to improve the situation.

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The company’s FAQ page has been updated to reflect these changes. Previously, Telegram’s response to queries about illegal content stated that all chats were private and not subject to any moderation requests.

The updated page now guides users on how to report illegal content to the platform’s moderators.

It’s worth noting, however, that Telegram’s retracted statement now appears under a different question.

It is still unclear why Telegram has made these changes. Benzinga contacted the company for comment on the matter but did not immediately receive a response.

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Why is it important?This policy change comes amid increasing scrutiny of Telegram’s policies.

Following France, South Korean security forces have also launched an investigation into Telegram for its alleged involvement in the dissemination of sexually explicit deepfake content.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about Telegram’s financial stability, which could complicate its $30 billion initial public offering. Despite having more than 900 million users, Telegram reported a loss of $108 million last year, on total revenue of $342 million.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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