Telegram, the controversial messaging app, has agreed to partner with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). This move marks a significant change in its approach to stopping the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The decision comes after years of rejecting pleas to join child protection schemes.
The IWF, used by major online platforms, helps detect and remove CSAM to prevent its circulation. Telegram’s decision follows the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov, in Paris four months ago for alleged failures to moderate extreme content.
Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO of the IWF, called Telegram’s move “transformational.” However, he cautioned that it was only the first step in a much longer process. “By joining the IWF, Telegram can now deploy tools to ensure this material cannot be shared,” he stated.
Shifting Focus: Privacy vs. Safety
Telegram, used by nearly 950 million people worldwide, has long emphasized privacy over content moderation. Critics, however, have branded it “the dark web in your pocket” due to its use by criminals for activities like drug trafficking, cybercrime, and sharing CSAM.
In August, Pavel Durov was detained in Paris for allegedly failing to cooperate with law enforcement on issues like drug trafficking and CSAM. He is currently barred from leaving France pending further investigations. Telegram insists his arrest is unjust and that he shouldn’t be held responsible for user actions.
In response to these challenges, Telegram has introduced key changes, including:
- Handing over IP addresses and phone numbers of users violating rules to authorities upon valid requests.
- Disabling the “people nearby” feature due to issues with bots and scammers.
- Publishing regular transparency reports about removed content, aligning with industry standards.
Durov also pledged to transform Telegram’s moderation practices into a model for praise rather than criticism. Partnering with the IWF represents a significant step in fulfilling this promise.
Strengthened Mechanisms for Content Removal
Before joining the IWF, Telegram claimed it was removing hundreds of thousands of CSAM items each month using its systems. With IWF membership, the app aims to strengthen these mechanisms further. The IWF’s extensive database of abuse content allows platforms to detect and block harmful material effectively.
Telegram’s reputation as a privacy-focused service has raised questions about its security. While it advertises end-to-end encryption, most communication on the platform uses standard encryption, leaving some messages vulnerable to hacking and interception.
Durov, who holds citizenship in multiple countries and resides in Dubai, continues to face legal and reputational challenges. Telegram remains particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, former Soviet states, and Iran.
This partnership with the IWF signals a pivotal moment in Telegram’s evolution, balancing its commitment to privacy with increasing responsibility for user safety.
