Telegram was expected to fulfill 900 requests from U.S. authorities for user information in 2024, with the number of requests increasing significantly after the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, in France. According to a January 7 report by 404 Media , Telegram provided information such as IP addresses and phone numbers in 14 requests between January and September.
However, the total number of requests this year reached 900, involving 2253 users, indicating a sharp increase after October. Durov was arrested on August 24 by French authorities on charges that Telegram was being used to facilitate criminal activity.
In October, he admitted that the platform had been sharing user data with authorities upon request since 2018, a practice described in Telegram’s privacy policy. As the legal proceedings continue, Durov is still barred from leaving France.
Despite these developments, Telegram remains popular, with more than 950 million monthly active users as of September 2024, including a significant presence in the cryptocurrency community. In October, Telegram announced that it plans to establish a local office in Kazakhstan.
At the time, Minister Zhaslan Madiyev said Telegram’s physical presence in Kazakhstan would be „an important step to increase control” and oversight of content on the platform.
Telegram’s decision to establish an office in Kazakhstan was part of a broader effort to address regulatory concerns that have also come under increased scrutiny in other countries.
In late August, French authorities accused Durov of allegedly neglecting Telegram to adequately prevent illegal activities on the platform.
Telegram has since implemented a number of measures to address the issues, including sharing user information, such as IP addresses and phone numbers, with authorities as needed.
The platform has also made significant updates to its search engine, removing problematic content and using artificial intelligence to detect and block illegal material.
The latest update to the encrypted messaging platform allows users to upgrade gifts to non-convertible tokens (NFTs), enabling trading and ownership on blockchain platforms.
As reported, the new feature transforms digital gifts into unique collectible items with customizable attributes that can be exchanged or sold on NFT markets.
Custom gift attributes include background colors and icons, making each item distinct. The upgrade requires Telegram Stars, the platform’s digital currency, to cover blockchain fees.
More than 20 types of digital gifts are eligible for this update, including items such as Jelly Bunny and Santa Hat. Scam Sniffer, a blockchain security company, recently identified new schemes using Telegram bots to attack cryptocurrency users.
Scammers use fake verification bots to inject malware, gaining access to victims’ cryptocurrency wallets. Scammers lure users into Telegram groups by impersonating well-known cryptocurrency influencers through fake X accounts.
Within these groups, users are instructed to verify their accounts with a bot called „OfficiaISafeguardBot,” which facilitates the injection of malware.
