Key Points:
- Telegram has removed an FAQ entry that suggested it doesn’t moderate private chats.
- The company asserts that its policies and source code remain unchanged.
- The change follows CEO Pavel Durov’s recent arrest on August 24th.
Telegram recently updated the wording on its FAQ page regarding the moderation of private chats, quietly removing a statement that previously affirmed, “we do not process any requests related to them.”
In response to the adjustment, a Telegram spokesperson clarified that while the app’s source code and policies remain unchanged, the company has updated the text to better explain how users can report content on the platform.
The change follows the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France on August 24th, where authorities cited the app’s insufficient moderation efforts and lack of cooperation in investigating illegal activities. Durov has since made his first public statement, calling the arrest “misguided” and the allegations “absolutely untrue.”
Durov further indicated that Telegram would be enhancing its efforts to prevent criminals from exploiting the platform’s security. “I’ve made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard,” Durov wrote, signaling upcoming changes.
Telegram’s Clarification on Moderation Policies
Despite the recent FAQ adjustments, Telegram maintains that there has been no fundamental shift in its moderation practices. Company representative Remi Vaughn emphasized that private chats remain private, and that users have always had the ability to report incoming messages. Vaughn also noted that Telegram’s open-source code allows anyone to verify that no significant changes have been made.
The updated FAQ section now emphasizes how users can flag illegal content for moderation with clear instructions on using the app’s “Report” button. However, Telegram has yet to explain what the removed text originally referred to, leaving questions about the company’s approach to private chat moderation.
Previously, the FAQ explicitly stated that the Telegram team did not process any moderation requests for private conversations. The revised section now reads: “All Telegram apps have ‘Report’ buttons that let you flag illegal content for our moderators in just a few taps,” followed by step-by-step reporting instructions.
