A quite unusual message in the official Telegram channel probably surprised most users of the service. The messenger asked how much data protection the users demand. More precisely, it is about how much data the service is allowed to pass on to investigative authorities in certain cases.
A survey is currently doing the rounds via the official Telegram channel. German users are currently being asked to what extent user data may be shared with the authorities, including the German police and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
How much data should be shared with Telegram?
At first glance, this project seems quite unusual, since Telegram generally does not publish or pass on any user information. This is also explicitly noted in the message: “Telegram never passes on information about your chats or contacts to third parties, not even to government institutions.”
It also says that since 2018, with the current data protection declaration of the messenger, IP addresses and telephone numbers may be passed on. However, only from terrorist suspects and then only if there is a request from the government that is supported by a court order.
That’s why the messenger is now conducting a vote that lasts until September 5, 12 noon. Telegram would like to know whether the German users want to keep the current data protection declaration or whether they want to reduce or increase the disclosure of data to authorities. Telegram presents three options for this.
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This is what the options look like
The message lists the options that the Telegram user can select. But there is also the possibility to abstain completely and not to choose any of the three options:
- option 1: No changes. Telegram is only allowed to pass on IP addresses and telephone numbers of terrorist suspects based on a court decision. This option is already included in Telegram’s current privacy policy.
- option 2: At the request of the German police authorities, Telegram is allowed to disclose IP addresses and phone numbers of suspects of serious crimes, even if this is not supported by a court decision. If approved, this option would be completely new for Telegram and therefore requires a change in the data protection declaration for users from Germany.
- option 3: Under no circumstances should Telegram share user information, including IP addresses and phone numbers of terrorist suspects. If this option is supported, Telegram will change its data structure and privacy policy for users from Germany.
Telegram has been heavily criticized for a long time
For some time now, Telegram has been particularly popular with right-wing extremist and conspiracy ideological groups. At the beginning of the year, the Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, from the SPD threatened to shut down the messenger service. After tough negotiations and struggles, the Russian messenger finally gave in and passed on data to the BKA for the first time in June 2022. TECHBOOK had reported about it.
After months of arguments, there could now be more cooperation work with the authorities. Although Telegram has always been reluctant to pass on user data, the survey could change course. However, the disclosure, especially without a court order, would also be a major intrusion into the privacy of users.