Telegram has made a significant shift by partnering with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its platform. This marks a notable change for the messaging app, which had previously ignored requests to participate in child protection programs.
The decision comes after founder Pavel Durov's recent arrest in Paris, linked to Telegram's alleged failure to moderate illegal content. The IWF labeled this partnership as “transformational,” highlighting that it’s just the beginning of a lengthy process to make the app safer.
Telegram, used by about 950 million people, has faced backlash for being likened to "the dark web in your pocket," due to its use by criminals for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and fraud. Durov, who is detained in France pending investigations, argues that he should not be held responsible for users' actions on the app.
In response to the mounting criticism, Telegram is rolling out changes to improve its operations, such as cooperating with law enforcement by providing IP addresses of rule violators and enhancing transparency about content removal. The IWF's advanced tools will help Telegram detect and block harmful content more effectively.
While Telegram promotes itself as a secure messaging service, questions linger about its encryption practices. With growing concerns regarding user safety, this partnership with the IWF is a critical step towards building a more secure platform for all users.
The decision comes after founder Pavel Durov's recent arrest in Paris, linked to Telegram's alleged failure to moderate illegal content. The IWF labeled this partnership as “transformational,” highlighting that it’s just the beginning of a lengthy process to make the app safer.
Telegram, used by about 950 million people, has faced backlash for being likened to "the dark web in your pocket," due to its use by criminals for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and fraud. Durov, who is detained in France pending investigations, argues that he should not be held responsible for users' actions on the app.
In response to the mounting criticism, Telegram is rolling out changes to improve its operations, such as cooperating with law enforcement by providing IP addresses of rule violators and enhancing transparency about content removal. The IWF's advanced tools will help Telegram detect and block harmful content more effectively.
While Telegram promotes itself as a secure messaging service, questions linger about its encryption practices. With growing concerns regarding user safety, this partnership with the IWF is a critical step towards building a more secure platform for all users.
