Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has announced significant changes to the messaging app, following his recent comments about his arrest in France. He described the arrest as “misguided.”
The removal of the ‘people nearby’ feature comes after multiple issues with bots and scammers exploiting it. This feature will be replaced by ‘businesses nearby,’ which aims to promote legitimate enterprises instead.
In a post on X, Durov emphasized the company’s commitment to transforming moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism to one of praise. He highlighted that the platform’s nearly 1 billion users should not be let down by a minority engaging in illegal activities.
Durov also noted changes to Telegraph, the app’s blogging tool, by disabling media uploads, which he stated had been misused by anonymous actors. The messaging app has also reportedly removed references on its FAQ page to private chats being protected from moderation.
Durov’s statements came shortly after highlighting that he had established a hotline for French authorities to contact Telegram’s EU representative, pointing out the availability of direct communication avenues.
The Telegram founder denied any suggestions that the app was an ‘anarchic paradise’ and asserted that millions of harmful posts and channels are taken down daily. Durov’s criticism of the arrest centered on the use of pre-smartphone era laws to charge him for crimes committed by third parties on the platform.
As the situation unfolded, Durov, who avoids jail with a €5 million bail, is required to report to a police station twice a week and remain in France. He has declined Russian diplomatic assistance, opting instead to navigate the legal challenges independently.
The tension between Russia and France has only increased, with Russian officials like Maria Zakharova acknowledging that Durov turned down diplomatic help. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin described France’s actions as ‘selective in nature,’ adding another layer to the international intrigue surrounding Durov’s arrest.
These changes by Telegram underscore the company’s efforts to bolster its moderation policies and address misuse, aiming to safeguard its user base and integrity amidst ongoing legal challenges.
Source: Theguardian