Telegram Update: Users Can Now Flag Illegal Content in Private Chats for Moderator Review

Previously, Telegram maintained a policy that emphasized the privacy and security of its users in private chats, as outlined in their FAQ section.

The company had explicitly stated that it did not process requests related to private chat content, reassuring users that their conversations were secure and protected from moderation.

However, within the past 24 hours, this assurance has been quietly altered, allowing for a new mechanism where users can report illegal content.

The updated FAQ now outlines a straightforward process for users to report any illegal activities. “All Telegram apps have ‘Report’ buttons that let you flag illegal content for our moderators — in just a few taps,” the new guidelines read.

This marks a significant shift in Telegram’s approach to content moderation, which has been long criticized for its lax oversight and hands-off strategy in addressing illegal activities that occur on the platform.

The catalyst for this policy shift appears to be Durov’s recent arrest. French authorities have charged him with failing to cooperate with investigations into criminal activities on Telegram, which reportedly include child exploitation and drug trafficking.

Durov’s detention has heightened the scrutiny on Telegram, a platform that has often been a vital source of information during global conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, it has also faced backlash for allegedly harboring a range of illicit activities.

In a public statement following his arrest, Durov acknowledged the challenges that Telegram faces as its user base has surged to approximately 950 million.

He indicated that the rapid growth of the platform has made it easier for malicious actors to exploit its features. “I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard.

We’ve already started that process internally,” he stated, signaling a commitment to address the pressing issues related to content moderation.

As Telegram implements these changes, the platform is also seeing substantial growth in its blockchain-related activities.

The Open Network (TON), which is associated with Telegram, has recently surpassed 1 billion total transactions. This achievement follows a high-profile memecoin airdrop that led to significant user engagement, although it also caused two major network outages.

The TON network’s transaction volume has exceeded 1.04 billion, with half of these transactions occurring within the past three months alone.

TON’s rapid expansion is attributed to recent innovations, including the introduction of the W5 smart wallet standard, which promises to facilitate gasless transactions on the blockchain.

In July, The Open Network Foundation further expanded its ecosystem by partnering with 1inch and Sign to launch a Web3 startup accelerator named Triangle.

By the close of 2023, Telegram had amassed $400 million in digital assets and reported a significant rise in premium users, from approximately four million at the end of the year to over five million by mid-2024.

Despite generating $342.5 million in revenue, the company faced an operating loss of $108 million, with about 40% of its revenue coming from activities related to digital assets, including an integrated wallet and the sale of digital collectibles.

The new policy enabling users to report illegal content is a crucial step for Telegram as it navigates this tumultuous period.

It highlights the platform’s acknowledgment of the need for improved content moderation and responsiveness to user concerns.

As Telegram continues to grow and evolve, it remains to be seen how effectively these changes will be implemented and how they will impact the user experience.

With these developments, Telegram is attempting to strike a balance between maintaining user privacy and ensuring a safer environment for its vast community.

The effectiveness of these new reporting features, along with Durov’s commitment to addressing content moderation issues, will be closely watched in the coming months as the platform faces ongoing scrutiny from both users and regulatory authorities.