Telegram has announced a significant policy update aimed at enhancing collaboration with judicial authorities to combat criminal activities on its platform. CEO Pavel Durov revealed that the messaging service will now provide IP addresses and phone numbers of users in response to valid legal requests, a move previously limited to cases involving terrorism.
This initiative particularly targets unauthorized streaming of sporting events, a widespread issue on Telegram, where illegal broadcasting has thrived. Hervé Lemaire, Director of security company LeadkID, noted that Telegram is now shutting down illicit channels much faster than before, with response times reduced to mere minutes.
However, experts argue that while these initial steps are promising, they are not sufficient. The French Professional Football League expressed concerns over the inconsistent speed of content removal, which still allows piracy to flourish.
In Italy, new anti-piracy laws have been implemented, enabling quicker information exchange between authorities to enforce penalties ranging from €150 to €5,000 for users engaging in illegal streaming. This legal framework, bolstered by a recent collaboration among various agencies, aims to strengthen the fight against piracy.
Despite these efforts, the challenge remains as technology evolves, with platforms like TikTok facilitating unauthorized live broadcasts. The ongoing battle against piracy highlights the need for collaborative action between platforms and authorities to effectively address these issues.